MiR-301 and PTEN expression in ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis to reveal their roles in ESCC, and it was found that (Fig. 1a–c) miR-301 was upregulated, while PTEN was downregulated in ESCC tissues. The gene discussed is PTEN; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.