In conclusion, our results showed that miR-185-5p was down-regulated in tumor tissues and cell lines of NSCLC, and that miR-185-5p overexpression inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and enhanced cell proliferation apoptosis, and suppressed tumor growth by negatively regulating YWHAZ. The gene discussed is YWHAZ; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.