Mitochondrial ribosomal protein S17 (MRPS17)

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein S17 (MRPS17) is a nuclear-encoded protein that is part of the small 28S subunit of the mammalian mitochondrial ribosome (mitoribosome), essential for mitochondrial protein synthesis. It structurally supports the mitoribosome and participates in rRNA binding, enabling translation of mitochondrial genes required for oxidative phosphorylation and energy production. MRPS17 is moderately conserved between human and prokaryotic ribosomal proteins but has diverged in sequence such that homology recognition is difficult. It plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial function, and its abnormal expression is associated with cancer progression, especially gastric cancer, where high MRPS17 correlates with greater tumor aggressiveness and poorer patient prognosis. While not a major direct therapeutic target, MRPS17 and other mitochondrial ribosomal proteins are being investigated as indirect cancer biomarkers and possible future drug targets, given their role in mitochondrial homeostasis and cell proliferation. No direct drugs are approved for MRPS17; however, broad-spectrum inhibitors of mitochondrial translation (e.g., linezolid) can impact its function, sometimes resulting in immunosuppression.

Other names

Small ribosomal subunit protein uS17mRPMS17HSPC011MRP-S17S17mtuS17m28S ribosomal protein S17, mitochondrial