In order to study the effect of activation of transcription factor AP1 and NF-κB by EB virus encoded latent membrane protein 1 on invasion and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). NPC cell line SUNE-1 and its subclones were used. Transcriptional and DNA binding activity were analyzed by reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression; the potential of metastasis of NPC cell lines was determined by nude mice tumorigenesis. The results showed the positive relationship of AP1 and NF-κB transcriptional activity, DNA binding activity, LMP1 expression, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase(JNK) activity to malignancy in NPC cell lines. Activation of AP1 and NF-κB by LMP1 may involved in invasion and metastasis of NPC.