--- - |2 Abstract YWHAZ (14‐3‐3ζ) plays crucial roles in regulating proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells. However, its extensive roles and potential mechanisms in GC cells remain unknown, which need to be researched deeply. In this study, we focused on the role of miR‐375/YWHAZ axis in migration, invasion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells. YWHAZ level was assessed by western blot and qPCR assays in GC cells. Scratch and transwell assays were used to determine the migration and invasion of GC cells. The protein levels of correlative molecules were detected by western blot. The regulation of miR‐375 on the expression of its target gene YWHAZ was verified by dual luciferase report system. According to the results, knockdown of YWHAZ inhibited the migration, invasion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells. Moreover, silencing of YWHAZ restrained the activation of wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. YWHAZ was confirmed to be a target gene of miR‐375, and its expressioin was regulated by miR‐375 in GC cells. Transfection of miR‐375 inhibitor promoted the migration, invasion, EMT and activation of wnt/β‐catenin pathway in GC cells, which was suppressed by inhibition of YWHAZ. Taken together, this study suggests that miR‐375/YWHAZ axis may be served as a novel therapeutic target for GC patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. - 'Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-. '