AIM: To identify the potential elements within the survivin promoter indispensable for the upregu-lation of survivin by Kaposi’ s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus encoded replication and transcription activator ( KSHV RTA).METHODS: A series of truncated survivin promoter luciferase constructs were generated.Reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to detect the interaction between RTA and the important cis-acting elements. RESULTS: Deletion of the GC/Sp1 and p53 binding sites within the survivin promoter almost completely shut down the survivin promoter activity and the p53 cis-acting element synergistically contributes to survivin promoter activation by RTA. CONCLUSION: KSHV RTA interacts with the GC/Sp1 and p53 cis-acting elements and regulates the expression of cellu-lar survivin by specifically increasing the activity of survivin promoter.