Collectively, the experimental data in our study offered evidence that shRNA-mediated silencing of HDAC3 harbored the tumor suppressive property to curb proliferative, migratory and invasive capabilities of ESCC cells and to induce apoptotic process through activation of the TGFβ signaling pathway via target-inhibition of TGIF1 by miR-494. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.