['To review the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and explore the potential applications targeted on overexpression of heme oxyenase-1 gene.', 'The data cited in this review were mainly obtained from the articles listed in Medline and PubMed, published from January 1996 to December 2008. The search terms were "heme oxygenase-1" and "transplantation".', 'Articles regarding the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and its protective role in transplants were selected. Protective effects of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression using a gene transfer approach against ischaemic reperfusion injury during transplantation were widely explored.', 'Local heme oxygenase-1 overexpression in the graft ameliorates the ischaemic reperfusion injury. This is due to removal of heme, a potent prooxidant and proinflammatory agent, but also because of generation of biologically active products.'] Is heme oxygenase-1 the candidate targeting for organ transplantation?