Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of silencing Kv1.3 potassium channel by short hairpin RNA （shRNA） on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. Methods The expression of Kv1.3 potassium channel in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells was detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction， Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Next， we measured the proliferation， growth and cell apoptosis of MG-63 cells using CCK-8，xenograft model in vivo and flow cytometry. Finally，Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of cell apoptosis related genes including poly ADP-ribose polymerase（PARP） and caspase-3 in MG-63 cells. Results Kv1.3 potassium channel was overexpressed in osteosarcoma cells and tissues. Knockdown of Kv1.3 by shRNA significantly suppressed osteosarcoma cell proliferation and inhibited the growth of MG-63 in vivo and in vitro. Additionally，cell early apoptosis was also induced. Silencing Kv1.3 gene enhanced the leavel of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. Conclusion Kv1.3 potassium channel is involved in proliferation and apoptosis process of human osteosarcoma and may represent a potential target for osteosarcoma diagnosis and treatment.