BACKGROUND: MMRN1 is a metastasis-associated gene that is abnormally expressed in a variety of tumors. The present study aimed to explore the role of MMRN1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: RNA sequencing was used to detect differential gene expression in RCC. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis identified the expression of MMRN1 in RCC. Statistical evaluations and the GEPIA database were conducted to examine the association between MMRN1 expression and the prognosis of RCC patients. The MTT assay was employed to assess cellular proliferative capacity, while the Transwell assay was used to evaluate metastasis. Additionally, subcutaneous tumor transplantation and lung metastasis assays in nude mice were performed to investigate the growth and metastasis of RCC cells in vivo. RESULTS: MMRN1 was significantly upregulated in RCC. The GEPIA database revealed an association between MMRN1 and distal metastasis, as well as poor prognosis in RCC patients. The overexpression of MMRN1 was found to enhance the proliferation and metastasis of RCC cells, whereas MMRN1 knockout was opposite. Additionally, MMRN1 overexpression facilitated the growth and metastasis of transplanted tumors in nude mice models. Mechanistically, MMRN1 overexpression activated the AMPK signaling pathway in RCC, and inhibition of this pathway mitigated the observed effects. CONCLUSION: MMRN1 is an oncogene in RCC. MMRN1 activates MMPs through the AMPK pathway to promote the proliferation and invasion of RCC.