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. This evidence concerns the gene DNMT1 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.