To explore the regulatory role of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) in invasion and migration of 786-O human renal cancer cells.C/EBPβ adenoviral overexpression vector (pAd-C/EBPβ) and C/EBPβ siRNA were constructed and respectively transfered into 786-O cells. Wound healing and Transwell(TM) invasion methods were used to detect the invasion and migration of the cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was applied to determine the translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), the central regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); Western blotting was performed to examine the levels of EMT key markers E-cadherin, vimentin and tenascin.When C/EBPβ was overexpressed, invasion and migration of 786-O cells were enhanced, translocation of NF-κB increased, E-cadherin level was reduced, and vimentin and tenascin levels were elevated. When C/EBPβ was knocked down, the results were completely opposite to those of C/EBPβ overexpression: invasion and migration of 786-O cells were inhibited, translocation of NF-κB decreased, E-cadherin level was elevated, and vimentin and tenascin expressions were suppressed. Moreover, the above changes were not found in the cells that co-treated with pAd-C/EBPβ and C/EBPβ siRNA.C/EBPβ could promote the invasion and migration of human renal carcinoma 786-O cells, and had an inducing effect on nuclear translocation of NF-κB in 786-O cells.