In summary, our present work indicates that low hsa-miR-124-3p levels mediated by DNMT1 promote ESCC cell proliferation and invasion by targeting BCAT1, suggesting that DNMT1/miR-124/ BCAT1 axis plays an important role in regulating development and progression of ESCC. The gene discussed is BCAT1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.