The present study aimed to assess the expression and functional role of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry (VM). In the primary human gliomas and human glioma‑derived cell lines tested, it was observed that the expression of AQP1 was upregulated. In addition, it was demonstrated that silencing of AQP1 expression resulted in decreased migration and invasion, in addition to vasculogenic mimicry in vitro. It was additionally observed that silencing of AQP1 expression resulted in in vivo inhibition of tumor growth, a decrease in the expression of invasion‑associated protein, and suppression of VM formation. Based on these data, it was concluded that AQP1 may serve a role in GBM migration, invasion and VM formation, and that it may serve as a novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.