ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of EZH2 gene down-regulation by RNA interference on the proliferation and invasion of human glioma cell line U251. MethodsThe recombinant plasmid of small hairpin RNA targeting EZH2 gene was constructed, and transfected into gioma U251 cells by electroporation. The expression of EZH2 mRNA and protein in the cells was detected by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot respectively; the viability of cells was determined by using methyl thiazol tetrazo1ium assay; and the invasiveness of U251 cells was tested by Transwell cabin. ResultsThe expression levels of EZH2 mRNA in U251 cells were detected in a significantly lower proportion in the EZH2-shRNA group (0.19±0.02) than that in the untransfected group (1.13±0.05) and the control-shRNA-GFP group (1.15±0.05). The expression levels of EZH2 protein in U251 cells were detected in a significantly lower proportion in the EZH2-shRNA group (0.20±0.02) than that in the untransfected group (1.03±0.03) and the control-shRNA-GFP group (0.97±0.06). The proliferation rates in EZH2-shRNA group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the untransfected group and control-shRNA-GFP group (24 hours after transfection:60.13%±3.15%, 100.00%±9.31%, 100.03%±9.35%; 48 hours after transfection:53.01%±3.14%, 100.00%±9.13%, 99.58%±9.27%; P<0.05) and Transwell cabin suggested that the invasiveness of U251 cells was significantly decreased (46.00±2.82, 60.67±5.71, 61.00±2.48; P<0.01). ConclusionEZH2-targeted RNA interference can reduce the proliferation and invasion of human glioma cells, which suggests that EZH2 shRNA may be a potential gene therapeutic target of human glioma.