[Study on Trichosanthin induced apoptosis of leukemia K562 cells].

Trichosanthin (TCS), an eukaryotic ribosome-inactivating protein isolated from the root tuber of Trichosanthes plant, has various biological activities including abortion induction, antitumor, and anti-HIV. In this study, cultured human leukemia K562 cells treated with trichosanthin were examined. Analysis of the cells by single laser flow cytometry showed the sub-G1 peak. DNA extracted from these cells formed a characteristic "ladder" on agarose gel electrophoresis. Under electromicroscope, typical morphological changes of apoptosis were also observed. From all of these findings, we concluded that trichosanthin was able to induce apoptosis in K562 cells.