Full name: mitochondrial ribosomal protein L12

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: 5c5-2; L12mt; MRP-L31/34; MRPL7; MRPL7/L12; RPML12

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 which forms homodimers. In prokaryotic ribosomes, two L7/L12 dimers and one L10 protein form the L8 protein complex. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Expression: Ubiquitous expression in colon (RPKM 31.4), heart (RPKM 25.0) and 25 other tissues

Gene size: 4151bp

Exon count: 5