Graphical abstractPAUPAR repressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells, and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells. PAUPAR sponged miR-17-5p and repressed its expression, and ZNF750 was demonstrated to be negatively regulated by miR-17-5p. PAUPAR could upregulate the expression of ZNF750 via downregulating miR-17-5p, and the functions of PAUPAR were dependent on its regulatory function on miR-17-5p/ZNF750 axis. Here, ZNF750 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.