60subunit

60subunit is a designation used in molecular biology to refer to a protein subunit associated with certain large multisubunit assemblies. It is not a standardized gene symbol or a universally defined protein family, and the term can refer to different proteins in different organisms depending on the study. In some annotations, "60subunit" signals an approximate molecular weight near 60 kilodaltons, while in others it indicates the subunit's position within a 60-subunit complex.

Functionally, 60subunit is described as a component that may contribute to structural integrity or regulatory interactions within its parent assembly. However, there is no consensus on a single function, and the available data are typically limited to specific organisms or experimental contexts. Structural information is sparse; predictions often indicate a globular domain with potential coiled-coil regions, but experimental validation is limited.

Discovery and study of 60subunit have relied on proteomic approaches, genetic tagging, and comparative annotation. Because "60subunit" can refer to distinct proteins in different species, researchers emphasize examining the surrounding genes, complex composition, and species-specific literature to determine the precise identity and role of the subunit in a given context.

See also: 60S ribosomal subunit; 60-subunit complex; protein subunit designation. Note that 60subunit is not the same as the eukaryotic 60S ribosomal subunit.