Objective To determine the role and mechanism of miR-181a on growth of colon cancer cells. Methods The colon cancer cell lines TCHu102 was cultured routinely, and the endogenous miR-181a was interferedreduced by liposomal transfection of inhibitor or mimic. The growth activity of colon cancer cell was determined by MTT assay. The potential targeted genes of miR-181a were predicted by bioinformatics, and the relationship between miR-181a and PRKCD were identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression level of gene were detected by real-time PCR and western blot respectively. Result The growth activity of colon cancer cell with low miR-181a level was significantly inhibited, with 28.9% of the control group (P<0.01). PRKCD was predicted as the potential targeted gene of miR-181a, and miR-181a could suppress the luciferase activity containing PRKCD 3’UTR. Moreover, the protein levels of PRKCD was significantly lower in colon cancer cells overexpressing miR-181a. Conclusion miR-181a regulated the growth of colon cancer cells by inhibition of PRKCD expression.