Objective To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) in gastric cancer invasion and metastasis, so as to provide a new predictive index and therapeutic target for gastric cancer metastasis. Methods Gastric cancer cell line MKN-1 was transfected with lentivirus to make a cell line with low expression of MMP2, denoted sh-MMP2. Real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to detect MMP2 expression in MKN-1 cells after transfection. Cell scratch, Transwell and CCK8 assays were used to detect changes in migration, invasion and proliferation, respectively, of MKN-1 cells. Xenotransplantation and metastasis models of MKN-1 NC and MKN-1 sh-MMP2 cell lines were established in nude mice, and changes in tumor growth and metastasis were observed in vivo. The effects of MMP2 on apoptosis and epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) were detected by Real-time PCR and Western Blot. Results The migration ( P< 0.05), invasion (P< 0.01) and proliferation ( P< 0.05) of gastric cancer MKN-1 cells were decreased with the reduction of MMP2 expression. In vivo result showed that low expression of MMP2 significantly slowed down tumor growth and metastasis (P< 0.01). Further experiments demonstrated that decreasing MMP2 expression in gastric cancer cells increased apoptosis and inhibited the EMT process. Conclusions Low expression of MMP2 can retard the development of gastric cancer by increasing cell apoptosis and inhibiting the EMT process, as well as reducing the migration, invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cells.