Full name: mitochondrial ribosomal protein L20

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: L20mt; MRP-L20

Summary: Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and help in protein synthesis within the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. They have an estimated 75% protein to rRNA composition compared to prokaryotic ribosomes, where this ratio is reversed. Another difference between mammalian mitoribosomes and prokaryotic ribosomes is that the latter contain a 5S rRNA. Among different species, the proteins comprising the mitoribosome differ greatly in sequence, and sometimes in biochemical properties, which prevents easy recognition by sequence homology. This gene encodes a 39S subunit protein. A pseudogene corresponding to this gene is found on chromosome 21q. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]

Expression: Ubiquitous expression in kidney (RPKM 36.6), fat (RPKM 35.3) and 25 other tissues

Gene size: 5385bp

Exon count: 4