Objective To investigate the signaling pathway and the key signal molecules of protein kinase (RIPK)3 in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with RIPK3 expression plasmid vector to upregulate intracellular RIPK3, while the SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with empty vector plasmid, which was considered as control group. Western blot assay was used to check the expression of exogenous RIPK3 in cells. The proliferation rate of SH-SY5Y cells was determined by MTT assay at designated time to detect exogenous RIPK3 activity. Whole transcriptome sequencing (RNAseq) was used to detect the transcription of genes. Whole-transcriptomic gene transcription was measured by following Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to obtain downstream signaling pathways and the key molecule, which were partly confirmed by following droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Results Exogenous RIPK3 showed biological activity in SH-SY5Y, which inhibited the proliferation of cells. IPA showed that znic finger protein 36 (ZFP36) was significantly up-regulated as compared with that of the control group. The tran?scription levels of ZFP36 downstream genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mRNA-decapping enzyme 2 (DCP2) were affected at the same time. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, it seems that RIPK3 is notable for the development, inflammation and tumorigenesis of the nervous system as an independent regulator of ZFP36 gene and downstream effectors.