FAM129A knockdown, miR-4521 overexpression with its induced FAM129A downregulation decreased the proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased the apoptosis of renal carcinoma cells through the TIMP-1/MMP2/MMP9 and MDM2/p53/Bcl2/Bax pathways. The gene discussed is MMP2; the disease is renal carcinoma.