Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of laminin subunit γ2(LAMC2) on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells through the PI3K/ Akt pathway. Methods Differentially expressed genes related to gastric cancer cell proliferation were analyzed in the cancer genome atlas and gene expression omnibus databases. The candidate gene LAMC2 was identified in accordance with the multiple of differential. UALCAN and Kaplan-Meier Plotter online databases were used to analyze LAMC2 expression in gastric cancer and its relationship with clinicopathological features. Western blot was used to detect LAMC2 in human gastric cancer cell lines HGC-27, NCI-N87 and SNU-1. An LAMC2 knockout gastric cancer cell model was established, and LAMC2 was detected by Western blot to determine the effects of model establishment. HGC-27 and NCI-N87 cells were divided into blank control(Control), negative control group(si-NC), and LAMC2 knockout(si-LAMC2)group. 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation and clonality. Western blot was used to assess expression of cell proliferation-related proteins(Cyclin D1, PCNA and c-Myc)and activation of the PI3K/ Akt pathway. Results LAMC2 was the most differentially expressed gene associated with cell proliferation in gastric cancer, and its expression was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer, which correlated to the clinicopathological characteristics of the gastric cancer stage, grade, and survival. The expression of LAMC2 in human gastric cancer cells (HGC-27, NCI-N87, SNU-1) was significantly higher than that in GES-1 cells(all P< 0. 01). Compared with the si-NC group, si-LAMC2 significantly inhibited HGC-27 and NCI-N87 cell proliferation, decreased the colony formation rate(P< 0. 01), and significantly decreased the expression of cell proliferation-related proteins(CyclinD1, PCNA and c-Myc) (all P< 0. 01). PI3Kp85 and Akt phosphorylation levels were also significantly downregulated( all P< 0. 01). Conclusions Upregulation of LAMC2 expression in gastric cancer is related to the clinicopathological characteristics of the gastric cancer stage, grade, and survival, and promotes cell proliferation by activation of the PI3K/ Akt pathway.