We investigated whether p27 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins were involved in all-trans retinoic acid (atRA)-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Matched primary and metastatic melanoma cells were exposed to atRA. Apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Expression of p27, Ras, B-raf, Mek and Erk proteins was examined. Results showed that atRA induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in both primary and metastatic melanoma cells. The primary melanoma cells were more vulnerable than their matched metastatic cells. Expression of p27 was increased, while MAPK proteins were decreased, this response was dose- and time-dependent. Alterations of these proteins were more pronounced in primary melanoma cells than in the matched metastases. These data indicate that up-regulation of p27 and down-regulation of MAPK proteins were involved in atRA-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in melanoma.