Abstract:[Objective]The aim is to reveal the role of PFKFB3 in 11'-deoxyverticillin A(C42)-induced autophagy and apoptosis.[Methods]Electron and fluorescence microscopy,immunoblotting,MTS assay,siRNA interference and real time PCR were used.[Results]C42 could induce multiple cell death in HeLa cells. Knockdown of either Beclin 1 or LC3,two important autophagic genes,increased both PARP-1 cleavage and cell viability loss. Although high dose of C42 triggered more cell viability loss,yet,it failed to augment autophagic flux. While PFKFB3 inhibitors attenuated C42-induced autophagy,the overexpression of PFKFB3 increased the induced autophagic flux.[Conclusion]PFKFB3 is involved in C42 induced-autophagy,which blunts the caspase-dependent apoptotic process.