AIM:To investigate the effect of MK-2206, an inhibitor of protein kinase B (Akt), on the DNA damage of SGC-7901 cells.METHODS: SGC-7901 cells were treated with different concentrations of MK-2206, and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) foci formation was detected by immunofluorescence staining .Western blot analy-sis was used to exam the levels of DNA damage-related protein.The expression of LC3-Ⅱ was determined to evaluate the change of autophagy .RESULTS:MK-2206 treatment increased the formation of γ-H2AX foci and histone H2AX phospho-rylation in the SGC-7901 cells.The levels of DNA damage response protein were also increased .In addition, MK-2206-treated SGC-7901 cells increased the expression of LC 3-II, a hallmark of autophagy .Inhibition of autophagy significantly enhanced MK-2206-mediated histone H2AX phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:MK-2206 induces DNA damage and auto-phagy in SGC-7901 cells.Blocking autophagy potentiates the response of MK-2206-induced DNA damage .