The results revealed that in KYSE-30 cell line (Fig. 3a–c), transfection of miR-301 inhibitor or oe-PTEN repressed colony formation ability and cell viability; transfection of silenced PTEN eliminated the impact of miR-301 inhibitor on ESCC cell viability; in Eca109 cell line (Fig. 3d–f), transfection of miR-301 mimic or si-PTEN promoted colony formation ability and cell viability; PTEN overexpression reversed the promotive role of miR-301 elevation in colony formation ability and viability of Eca109 cells. The gene discussed is PTEN; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.