Abstract
DNA replication stress and energy homeostasis are critical yet underexplored pathways in prostate cancer (PCa). Identifying PCa prognostic biomarkers associated with these pathways are essential for advancing diagnostics and treatment. The present study aimed to analyze transcriptomic and clinical data from public datasets to identify DNA replication stress and energy homeostasis‑related genes associated with PCa. Biomarkers were assessed using reverse transcription‑quantitative (RT‑q) PCR, western blotting and consistent expression trends across datasets. Survival analyses evaluated the effect of biomarkers on clinical outcomes, while immune microenvironment changes and immunotherapy responses were evaluated. Mutation and drug sensitivity analyses explored genetic variations and chemotherapy efficacy. Functional assays, including cell proliferation, migration, RT‑qPCR and western blotting, confirmed biomarker roles in PCa progression. RecQ mediated genome instability 1 (RMI1) was identified as a novel biomarker, consistently upregulated in PCa tissues across datasets and experiments (P<0.05). High RMI1 expression was associated with worse survival outcomes, advanced clinical stages, immune escape and TP53 mutations. Enrichment analysis linked RMI1 to cell cycle, DNA replication and metabolic pathways. Functional assays revealed that RMI1 knockdown inhibited PCa cell proliferation and migration, suggesting its role in tumor progression. Additionally, high RMI1 expression was associated with resistance to certain chemotherapeutic agents, such as irinotecan. These results underscored RMI1 as a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for the management of PCa. In conclusion, the present study identified RMI1 as a biomarker for the detection of PCa and may promote cancer cell progression by promoting proliferation and migration.