Ribosomal protein L3-like (RPL3L)

Ribosomal protein L3-like (RPL3L) is a paralogue of ribosomal protein L3 (RPL3), and is specifically expressed in heart and skeletal muscle, especially in cardiomyocytes and striated muscle fibers[1][2][3]. While canonical ribosomal proteins like RPL3 are ubiquitous, RPL3L is nearly exclusive in its tissue distribution and associates with specialized ribosomes in these cells. RPL3L-containing ribosomes modulate translation elongation (particularly at certain codons) and appear to be less prone to ribosome collisions than canonical RPL3-containing ribosomes[1]. Mice deficient in RPL3L display impaired cardiac contractility, emphasizing its importance for muscle physiology[1][3]. In muscle and heart cells, RPL3L both shapes the translational landscape and regulates ribosome-mitochondria interactions, thereby influencing energy production and cellular adaptation to physiological or pathological stimuli[2][3]. RPL3L also functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, limiting muscle cell fusion and hypertrophy, supporting the emerging paradigm of ribosome specialization in tissues[4]. There are no known drugs that directly target RPL3L, nor is it a conventional therapeutic target, but its expression, function, and tissue specificity render it a significant research focus for understanding muscle biology and disease.

Other names

Ribosomal protein uL3-like60S ribosomal protein L3-likeLarge ribosomal subunit protein uL3-likeCMD2DRPL3L

Not applicable; no drugs known to target RPL3L.