Abstract:Objective: Melanoma antigen genes(MAGE) genes have been found in many kinds of tumor tissue, but not in normal tissue except testis and placentas. The Ags encoded by MAGE genes therefore are strictly tumor-specific. The most current researches associated with these genes focus on the tumor vaccination using these Ags. Few reports are concerning these genes' functions. In this study, we investigated the role of MAGE-A1 gene on NIH3T3 cells after transferring with it. Methods: Clone the MAGE-A1 into the plasmids pEGFP-C3 and pcDNA3.1, then transfer the reconstructed plasmids and primary plasmids into the NIH3T3 cells using a new transfer reagent FuGENE 6. Selecting the positively transferred cells by G418. Identified by RT-PCR, Western blot, Immunocytochemistry,Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope and Fluoroscope. The cells mobile ability was measured with Millicell-PCF. The cell cycle and apoptosis were measured with Flow Cytometry. Results: The apoptosis rate of NIH3T3 cells that transferred with control plasmid pcDNA3.1was 13.4% and the raitos that stay in S phase and G2-M phase were 5.68% and 1.04% respectively. The apoptosis rate of NIH3T3 cells that transferred with pcDNA3.1-A1 was 0.90% and the ratios that stayed in S phase and G2-M phase were 19.31% and 13.47% respectively. The apoptosis rate of the cells that transferred with control plasmid pEGFP-C3 was 1.87 %, a little higher than 1.47 % of those transferred with pEGFP-C3-A1. Conclusion: The MAGE-A1 gene may enhance the cell cycle, inhibit the apoptosis and raise the mobile ability of NIH3T3 cells.