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PURPOSE This work aims to investigate the effects of ΔNp63 gene down-expression on invasion of bladder carcinoma cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bladder carcinoma cell lines UM-UC-3 and 5637 were cultured. The expression plasmids encoding ΔNp63 were constructed and transfected into UM-UC-3 and 5637 cells. The migration and adhesion of cells were detected. The expressions of ΔNp63 and invasion-related zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) in cells were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the location of ZO-1 in cells. RESULTS Results showed that the down-expression of ΔNp63 reduced the migration of UM-UC-3 and 5637 cells, decreased the heterogeneity adhesion, and increased homogeneous adhesion. After transfection with ΔNp63, the ZO-1 expression in cell membrane and cell cytoplasm was inhibited, also the ZO-1 mRNA and protein levels in cells were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION This study indicates thatΔNp63 gene down-expression can reduce the invasion of bladder carcinoma cells in vitro.