Abstract: Objective To test dopamine effect in different inducers caused pheochromocytoma PC12 cell death. Methods RT- qPCR was used to test gene expression of tumor associated and nerve related markers of PC12 cells; CCK8 was used to evaluate cell viability of different physiological concentration of dopamine(0,6.25,12.5,25,50,100 μmol/L）treating PC12 cells and dopamine effect on drug induced ferroptosis, necrosis and apoptosis; flow cytometry was used to test cell cycle changes and positive cell rate of PI and Annexin V during dopamine inhibit ferroptosis. Result PC12 cells expressed tumor specific genes and some neural associated markers. Dopamine had cytotoxicity against PC12 cells at 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L. The physiological concentration of dopamine specifically exhibit anti Erastin induced ferroptotic activity, but has no significant effect on apoptosis and necrosis. Dopamine can effectively reduce the increase of PI and Annexin V double positive cells and S phase to G2/M phase block caused by Erastin. Conclusions The physiological concentration of dopamine is cytotoxic to PC12 cells and can protect PC12 inhibit ferroptosis induced by erastin.

Key words: PC12, dopamine, cell death, Ferroptosis, Erastin