Abstract: AIM: To explore the change of the expression of cell adhesion molecule CD₅₄ and CD₄₄ in erythroleukemic K562 apoptosis cells induced by momordin from momordica charantia seeds and study the effects of cell adhesion molecule CD₅₄ and CD₄₄ on cell apoptosis induced by momordin.METHODS: Afterthe treatment of K562 cells with appropriated concentration momordin,CCK-8 test was employed to determine K562 cells growth;flow cytometry FACScan (FITC-Annexin V staining) and electron microscopy were used to detect apoptosis;The expression of CD₅₄ and CD₄₄ were examined by flow cytometry FACScan (FITC-CD₅₄ and PE-CD₄₄ staining).RESULTS: CCK-8 test showed K562 cells growth was significant inhibited by momordin;the apoptosis was detected by cell morphology and flow cytometry FACScan(FITC-Annexin V) in K562 cells aftertreatment by appropriated concentration momordin.The expressions of CD₅₄ and CD₄₄ in momordin treated K562 cells were 18.62 % and 1.32 % respectively,and in negative momordin treated K562 cells were 0.25 % and 0.17 % respectively,and momordin could up-expresses the protein of CD₅₄ 18.37 % and CD₄₄ 1.15 %.CONCLUSION: Momordin can markedly induce the K562 cell to apoptosis s.The up-expressions of CD₅₄ exist in the process of apoptosis induced by momordin.The change of cell adhesion molecule maybe one of the key factors in the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by momordin,and its mechanism maybe involve in adhesion-dependent apoptosis.

Key words: momordin, K562, apoptosis, CD₅₄, CD₄₄