This study focuses on the role of miR-7 in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by targeting thyroid receptor interactor protein 6 (TRIP6). Here, we report that miR-7 expression was down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines due to DNA hypermethylation. miR-7 overexpression significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration of CRC cells in vitro. TRIP6 was found to be a direct target gene of miR-7. The proliferation inhibition of CRC cells mediated by miR-7 could be rescued after TRIP6 overexpression in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, overexpression of TRIP6 reduced miR-7 inhibitor-mediated CRC cell migration and invasion. These findings demonstrate that miR-7 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of CRC cells by targeting TRIP6 and that miR-7 might serve as a good strategy for diagnosing and treating CRC. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.