Objective To study the molecular characteristics of RNA binding protein aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family member A1 (ALDH18A1) in esophageal carcinoma cells (KYSE150 cells) and its effect on tumor growth. MethodsHuman esophageal squamous cell (KYSE150 cells) was cultured in vitro. At the same time, RNA co-immuno precipitation technology was used to study the binding of RNA and protein in the cell, and the corresponding RNA-protein complex was precipitated by the antibody of the target protein to separate and purify the captured RNA. The molecular characteristics of ALDH18A1 binding RNA were analyzed, and KyotoEncyclopedia of Genes and Genomes cluster analysis was performed for ALDH18A1 binding target genes. Results Protein immunoblotting experiments showed that the target protein was well enriched by antibodies. ALDH18A1 had extensive RNA binding activity, with significant enrichment in regions such as coding sequences, intron, and 5’untranslated region. ALDH18A1 mainly bound to the UGUAAUC motif of RNA. The cluster analysis showed that the RNA molecules bound to ALDH18A1 mainly participated in focal adhesion, central carbon metabolism in cancer, cell cycle, spliceosome, RNA transport, and ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis. Conclusion ALDH18A1 has the function of binding to RNA molecules and may play a role in the expression of esophageal cancer-related genes and related biological processes.