Objective To observe the effect and mechanism of different concentrations of 0 6 -cyclohexylmethylguanine ( 6 ) on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of rat hypophysoma MMQ cell line. Methods MMQ cells (2 mL) in logarithmic growth phase were inoculated into 6-well plates, then we added 0. 4 and 4 μlmol of 06 and dimethyl sulfoxide (which were taken as the groups A, B, and C, respectively) . Cell viability assay was used to detect OD490 value, flow cytometry was used to detect the positive percentage of Annexin and PI, as well as the percentage of cells in the S and Gl phases, and Western blotting was used to detect the levels of Cdk2, p21 and p27 proteins. Results Compared with group C, the OD490 values of groups A and B decreased at 24, 48 and 72 h ( all P < 0. 05 ) . Compared with group C, the percentages of Annexin V positive cells and PI positive cells in the group A increased (P <0. 05 ). Compared with group B, the percentages of Annexin V positive cells and PI positive cells in the group A decreased ( P <0. 05). Compared with group C, the ratios of cells in the S phase were reduced and the ratios of cells in the Gl phase increased in the groups A and B (all P < 0. 05) . Compared with the group C, the Cdk2 levels in the groups A and B were reduced and the p27 level in the group A increased ( all P < 0. 05). Compared with group B, the Cdk2 levels increased, and p21 and p27 levels decreased in the group A (all P < 0. 05) . Conclusions 06 could inhibit the cell proliferation, induce the apoptosis and arrest the cell into Gl phase in MMQ cell line. The inhibition effect of 4 μlmol 06is stronger than that of 0. 4 μmol through inhibiting the activity of CDK2 protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]