AIM: To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6(TRAF6)on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of retinoblastoma Y79 cells.

METHODS: The Y79 cells were divided into three groups: blank control group, negative control group and TRAF6 siRNA group. After TRAF6 siRNA transfection, the levels of TRAF6 mRNA and protein in Y79 cells were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was employed to detect changes in cell cycle and apoptosis. Cell invasiveness was detected by the Transwell method.

RESULTS: Expression of TRAF6 mRNA and protein in the TRAF6 siRNA group significantly decreased compared with the negative and blank control groups. Following the silencing of TRAF6, cell proliferation was inhibited and the apoptosis rate increased; the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase; the number of cells in S phase was reduced, while the invasion ability of cancer cells decreased.

CONCLUSION: Silencing TRAF6 may inhibit the proliferation of Y79 cells, promote cell apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and decrease the invasive ability. Thus, TRAF6 may be a potential target in therapy for retinoblastoma.