Objective: To investigate the expression level of IARS2 gene in colon cancer tissues and various cell strains of the cancer; to explore cytologically the effect of IARS2 gene knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of RKO cells in the cancer. Methods: Real-time, fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of IARS2 gene in human colon cancer and surrounding tissues and in various cell strains of the cancer; the RNA interference target of IARS2 gene was designed and the target was detected by Western blot; the IARS2-siRNA lentiviral vector was established and used to infect the RKO cells of colon cancer; qPCR was employed to determine the effect of gene knockdown; changes of the RKO cells in growth, apoptosis, cell cycle and clone formation were observed after IARS2 gene knockdown. Results: The expression of IARS2 gene was higher in human colon cancer tissues than in surrounding tissues; there was expression of IARS2 gene in colon cancer cells, and the expression level of IARS2 gene mRNA was higher in the RKO cells than in the SW480, HCT116, DLD1, HT-29 and SW620 cells. After infection of the RKO cells with IARS2-siRNA lentivirus, the expression of IARS2 gene was inhibited in the level of mRNA; proliferation rate of the RKO cells was significantly inhibited; the G1 phase arrest of the RKO cells was increased with less RKO cells in S phase; the apoptotic RKO cells increased significantly; and the number of colonies of the RKO cells reduced. Conclusion: The expression of IARS2 gene is different in human colon cancer and surrounding tissues; after knockdown of IARS2 gene, proliferation of the RKO cells is inhibited; there are more cells in G phase and fewer cells in S phase; apoptosis of cells is increased; and formation of colonies is reduced. IARS2 gene is probably a cancer-promoting gene.