In summary, this study demonstrated that YME1L, a key regulator of mitochondrial function, is significantly upregulated in NPC and plays a crucial role in NPC progression by influencing mitochondrial function, viability, proliferation, migration, and Akt-mTOR activation, with potential implications for NPC tumorigenesis. The gene discussed is YME1L1; the disease is nasopharyngeal carcinoma.