RPL12

Ribosomal protein L12, also known as RPL12, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RPL12 gene. This gene is part of the 60S ribosomal subunit, which is the larger of the two subunits that make up the ribosome. Ribosomes are essential cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. RPL12 is a core component of the ribosomal structure and plays a crucial role in the ribosome's function. It is involved in the interaction with other ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), contributing to the overall stability and catalytic activity of the ribosome. The protein is highly conserved across different species, indicating its fundamental importance in cellular processes. Mutations or alterations in RPL12 expression have been implicated in various cellular dysfunctions and have been studied in the context of disease development, although its direct role in specific pathologies is an ongoing area of research.