Objectives: The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in colorectal cancer mediates down-regulation of metastasis-related gene expression through the regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. Methods: Mouse colon carcinoma cells (CT26) were treated with and without the PARP inhibitor 5-aminoisoquinolin-1(2H)-one hydrochloride (5-AIQ). We investigated adhesion, migration and invasion of differently treated CT26 cells. In addition, the expression levels of PARP, NF-κB, integrin β1, MMP-9 and MMP-2 as well as the activities of NF-κB, MMP-9 and MMP-2 were determined by Western blot, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and zymography, respectively. Results: Inhibition ofPARP attenuated the adhesion of CT26 cells to the extracellular matrix and their migration and invasion through Matrigel. In addition, the results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of PARP, NF-κB, integrin β1, MMP-9 and MMP-2 were reduced in 5-AIQ-treated CT26 cells; the activities of NF-κB, MMP-9 and MMP-2 were also suppressed. Conclusions: Inhibition of PARP down-regulates the expression of metastasis-related genes in mouse colon carcinoma cells. This could be, at least in part, through the regulation of NF-κB activity, but the precise mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated.