MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNA molecules predicted to control the activity of about 30 % of all protein-coding genes in mammals. The expression of microRNA-424-5p (miR-424-5p) has been shown to vary in multiple hematological and solid organ malignancies, such as pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to characterize the function of upregulated miR-424-5p in pancreatic cancer and show how downstream suppressor of cytokine-induced signaling 6 (SOCS6) is negatively regulated by miR-424-5p. MiR-424-5p and SOCS6 expression was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumorous ductal epithelium tissues. Luciferase reporter assays were used to assess SOCS6 as a target of miR-424-5p. The downstream effect of SOCS6 was measured by qRT-PCR after miR-424-5p inhibition and SOCS6 upregulation. The functions of miR-424-5p in vitro in pancreatic cancer cells were measured by migration and invasion assays and flow cytometry. Results suggested miR-424-5p was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer and suppress the expression of SOCS6, and miR-424-5p increased proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, while inhibited cell apoptosis. It was concluded that miR-424-5p is frequently upregulated in pancreatic cancer and modulates ERK1/2 signaling pathway by negatively regulating SOCS6.