Objective      To investigate the function and mechanism of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma) in inhibiting ovarian carcinoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo.       Methods      Overexpression of Puma in ovarian carcinoma cell line COC1 was achieved by adenovirus vectors. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK-8 kit

meanwhile the percentage of apoptotic cells was identified by Annexin V staining. The mouse xenograft model was established to detect the inhibition on ovarian carcinoma cell growth in vivo. The expression of caspase 9 and Bax was detected by Western blotting.       R

esults      Puma was successfully over-expressed in COC1 cells using the established adenovirus expression vector. Over-expression of Puma inhibited the cell proliferation of COC1 cells evidently (

P

0.05) and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells to 29% as compared to 7.2% in the control (

P

0.05). Meanwhile

Puma inhibited the tumorigenicity of ovarian carcinoma cells in vivo. The average weight of xenografts was 0.22 g in the Puma overexpression group

significantly lower than 0.53 g in the control group (

P

0.05).       Conclusion      Puma plays a tumor-suppressor role in ovarian carcinoma. Puma inhibits cell proliferation

induces cell apoptosis partially through activating caspase 9 and inducing Bax translocation to mitochondria and also inhibits the tumorigenicity in vivo.