ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of miR-520a in regulation ErbB4 expression and the biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The role of miR-520a in regulating the expression of ErbB4 was investigated by Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay system. The effect of miR-520a on the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells was detected by MTT and Transwell invasion assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-520a down-regulated the expression of ErbB4 in vitro. miR-520a significantly inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the invasion of ESCC cell line Eca109.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-520a regulates the expression of ErbB4 and suppresses the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor.</p>