Accumulated evidence supports that both Id helix-loop-helix proteins and derivatives of vitamin A, retinoids, play a pivotal role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. We analyzed the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on the gene and protein expression of Id2 in THP-1 cells and found a suppression of the levels of Id2. The down-regulation was abolished towards a constitutively expressed level of Id2 mRNA. The decreased level of Id2 was associated with growth suppression and does support the prevalent conception of the action of Id2 as a stimulator of cell growth.