Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of Twist gene on migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the possible mechanisms involved. Methods:RT-PCR was used to detect expression of Twist gene in Hep 11and Hep 12cell lines. Hep 11cells were stably transfected with Twist-cDNA, and Hep12cells were transiently transfected with Twist RNAi plasmid. Cell migration assay was performed on Twist upregulated Hep11cells and Twist RNAi Hep12cells. RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers.Results: Com-pared with that in primary Hep11cells, Twist was highly expressed in recurrent Hep12cells. Cell models (Twist-Hep 11) with steady over-expression of Twist protein were obtained. Compared with pcDNA3-Hep11cells, the migration of Twist-Hep11 cells were obviously increased. However, the migration of Twist RNAi Hep12(Si-Twist Hep 12) cells was reduced. Overex -pression of Twist in Hep 11cells promoted N-cadherin and Vimentin expression. Conclusion:Twist promotes the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and may play an important role in upregulation of mesenchymal markers in hepato-cellular carcinoma.