Mitochondrial ribosomal protein L13 (MRPL13)

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein L13 (MRPL13) is a nuclear-encoded protein that is a critical component of the 39S large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome in eukaryotes[4][9][1]. It plays a central role in mitochondrial protein synthesis by contributing to the assembly and function of the mitoribosome, which is distinct in composition and structure from prokaryotic ribosomes, notably lacking 5S rRNA and having a higher protein-to-rRNA ratio[4][1][9][10]. MRPL13 is essential for maintaining mitochondrial function and integrity, as evidenced in model organisms, and its loss disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential, protein synthesis, and cellular energy production[2]. In human disease, MRPL13 has been associated with enhanced mitochondrial performance, protection against apoptosis, and with promoting tumor growth in recent research[7]. No direct drugs target human MRPL13, but it is indirectly relevant in malarial parasites for the action of certain mitochondrial-acting antimalarials[2]. The gene is located on chromosome 8 in humans[1][11].

Other names

Large ribosomal subunit protein uL13mL13mtMRP-L13L13L13ARPL13RPML13uL13m39S ribosomal protein L13, mitochondrial

Not established for drugs directly interacting with MRPL13, but ablation of MRPL13 in malaria parasites increases sensitivity to mitochondrial-acting drugs (e.g., proguanil)[2].