Abstract: Objective: To study the role of sphingosine kinase （SPK）in the regulation of the apoptosis of gastric carcinoma cells. Methods: The adenovirus carrying the wild type SPK gene （SPKWT） and SPK mutant （SPKDN） were constructed respectively; viral infection titer was determined with plaque assay and CPE method. The effect of the adenoviral mediated-expression of these genes on the BGC-823 cells was evaluated, and we detect gene expression by Western blot and SPK enzyme activity assay. Results: Re-adenoviruses were amplified and purified;rAd-SPKWT and rAd-SPKDN can infect BGC-823 cells efficiently; Exogenous SPK may effectively express in BGC-823 cells, SPK enzyme activity assay suggested wide type SPK gene could increase SPK activity and mutant SPK gene could decrease SPK activity respectively; SPK could inhibit the apoptosis induced by 5-FU in the cells of BGC-823. Conclusion: SPK could inhibit the apoptosis of the cells of BGC-823, which maybe a new target for tumor treatment.