Objective To construct the recombinant plasmid encoding human extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), and investigate its expression and effect on invasion and migration of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. Methods Total mRNA was extracted from human colon cancer SW-480 cells, EMMPRIN gene was obtained by RT-PCR and cloned into pEGFP-N1 vector, then the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-EMMPRIN was constructed and transfected into human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The expression of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein in SGC-7901 cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the effect of EMMPRIN on invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells was determined with Transewell assay. Results The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-EMMPRIN was constructed and expressed in SGC-7901 cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that the expression of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein in SGC-7901 cells increased after transfection, and Transwell assay revealed that the invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells were significantly enhanced after transfection. Conclusion EMMPRIN can significantly enhance the invasion and migration of tumor cells.