In this study, down-regulating TUG1 significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of ZEB2 in CRC, and strongly hindered the proliferation and EMT of CRC cells, while overexpressing miR-144-3p or down-regulating ZEB2 reversed the inhibition on the EMT caused by down-regulation of TUG1. TUG1 can inhibit the miR-138-5p/ZEB2 molecular axis to promote the EMT of CRC. The gene discussed is ZEB2; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.