Abstract: Objective To collect basic data for further research of genetic pathways and genetic mechanism of glioma progression by analyzing the differentially expressed genes induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in glioma cells. Methods By comparing the gene expression profiles of glioma cell line (SHG-44) (WHO grade Ⅳ) before and after treatment with ATRA by using a cDNA microarray,a panel of differentially expressed genes that were potentially related to glioma progression was identified.To confirm the results of genes detected by the cDNA microarray,some differentially expressed genes were selected randomly for Northern blot analysis. Results Forty-two differentially expressed genes were identified by cDNA microarray in this study,among them,28 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated.These genes were functionally classified into several groups as following:apoptosis,cell mobility and metastasis,cell cycle and growth regulation,cytoskeleton,metabolic pathway,and so on. Conclusion It is primarily revealed that ATRA might induce differentially gene expression in glioma cells,and further investigation of the above-mentioned differentially expressed genes might help to elucidate the regulation pathways and genetic mechanisms of glioma progression.