Abstract: AIM: To explore the changes of cell surface charge on apoptotic K₅₆₂ induced by arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃).METHODS: The changes of cell surface charge were observed by the electrophoresis mobility.The techniques used to estimate apoptotic activity in K₅₆₂ cells involved cell proliferation, cell viability, cell morphology, flow cytometry, and agarose gel electrophoresis assay. RESULTS: The electrophoresis mobility decreased with the passing of time.The decrease appeared at about 1.6 h and greatly enhanced in 6 h, which occurred before the typical changes of cell morphology and DNA contents for apoptosis.After 6 hours, the reduce in electrophoresis mobility was not obvious, in spite of decrease.CONCLUSION: The changes of cell surface charge can reflect apoptosis, especially in early time.It is early event of apoptotic K₅₆₂.

Key words: cell surface charge, electrophoresis mobility, K₅₆₂ cell, As₂O₃, apoptosis