BACKGROUND: The proteome is a highlight technology in medical research fields lately, and has been reported to be applied in basic research fields related to liver transplantation. However, it has not been heard that the proteome has been used in research related to reduced-size liver transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To study expression of hepatic differential proteins related to signal transduction using proteomics after reduced-size liver transplantation in rats. METHODS: On the basis of successful establishment of rat models of reduced-size liver transplantation, transplanted liver tissues were obtained at 1, 3 and 7 days after transplantation. Postoperative liver tissue and normal donor, receptor liver tissues were subjected to solid pH gradient two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns were set up. Differentially expressed protein spots were identified using tandem mass spectrometry analysis and database. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Seventy-two differential protein stains were found taking 10 times measure. Finally, 32 proteins with clear functions were identified. Of them, four proteins participated in signal transduction, and they distributed at 3 and 7 days after liver transplantation, accounting for 6%. Results verified that on the basis of successful and stable establishment of rat models of reduced-size liver transplantation, proteomics technology was utilized to study differential proteins involving in signal transduction after reduced-size liver transplantation, and this study provides data for further deep investigation of regulating MicroRNA of these proteins. © 2014, Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.