Objective To investigate the effect of Golgi α-mannosidase II (GM2) gene knockdown on adhesion abilities of BGC-823 human gastric carcinoma cells. Methods Three plasmid vectors expressing GM2 shRNAs and a negative control plasmid vector were designed, constructed and then transfected into BGC-823 cells by LipofectamineTM 2000. After transfection, the mRNA and protein levels of GM2 in BGC-823 cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting to evaluate the transfection efficacy. The best plasmid for GM2 gene knockdown was selected and stably transfected into BGC-823 cells. Adhesion abilities of BGC-823 cells after GM2 gene silencing were observed by cell-cell, cell-matrix and cell-endothelial cell adhesion assays. At the same time, the expressions of E-cadherin, P-selectin, CD44v6 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) proteins were detected by Western blotting after GM2 gene knockdown. Results The expression of GM2 was effectively knockdown in GM2-shRNA-2-transfected BGC-823 cells. Compared with the blank control group and the negative control group, the intercellular adhesion ability of the GM2-shRNA-2-transfected cells increased significantly, while their cell-matrix and cell-endothelium adhesion abilities markedly decreased. In GM2-shRNA-2 transfection group, E-cadherin expression was significantly elevated and the P-selectin expression was significantly reduced, while the expression levels of CD44v6 and ICAM-1 were not obviously changed. Conclusion After GM2 gene knockdown, the intercellular adhesion ability of gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells is enhanced, while the adhesion abilities with the extracellular matrix and endothelial cells are weakened. The changes might be related to the up-regulated expression of E-cadherin and the down-regulation of P-selectin.