Abstract

The role of extracellular signal‑regulated kinase/mito­gen‑activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signaling pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cells was studied. The transduction process of ERK/MAPK signaling pathway was inhibited using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) inhibitor U0126. Promoting effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on proliferation of human colon cancer cells was detected via Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8), the cycle and apoptosis of human colon cancer cells were detected via flow cytometry, and the migration of human colon cancer cells was detected via wound healing assay. The results revealed that after drug treatment for 48 h, there were statistically significant differences in 4 and 8 µmol/l U0126 experimental group compared with control group (P<0.05). Compared with those in control group, G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase and proliferation index (PI) in 2, 4 and 8 µmol/l U0126 group had statistically significant differences (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in comparison of G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase and PI between control and 8 µmol/l U0126 group (P<0.05). Compared with that in control group, the cell migration distance in 8 µmol/l U0126 group had a statistically significant difference after drug treatment for 24 h (P<0.05). After drug treatment for 48 and 72 h, the cell migration distance in 4 and 8 µmol/l U0126 group was significantly reduced, and the differences were statistically significant compared with that in control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, ERK/MAPK signaling pathway is involved in the effects of HGF of promoting proliferation and regulating cell cycle and apoptosis of human colon cancer cells, providing a new approach for the treatment of colon cancer.