Objective To investigate the role of inhibitor of DNA binding-1(Id-1) gene in adenoid cystic carcinoma cell growth and invasion behavior. Methods With salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines ACC-M and ACC-2, dedected Id-1 gene expression was screened with immunofluorescence assay. After Id-1 mRNA knockingdown using small interfering RNA, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the different expressions before and after interference, and the growth of cells before and after interference was deceted using the MTT assay, and the cell invasion ability was checked with the use of Transwell chamber assay. Results Id-1 were both expressed in the ACC-M and ACC-2, and the expression in ACC-M was higher than that in ACC-2. After Id-1 RNA interference, the growth and invasiveness of ACC-M and ACC-2 were inhibited with the restrained degree in ACC-M much stronger than that in the ACC-2. Conclusion In view of the important role of Id -1 in the behavior of growth and invasion in ACC cell, interfering the expression of Id-1 gene is expected to be a novel and effective means for the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma.