MRPL1 (mitochondrial ribosomal protein L1) is a nuclear-encoded protein critical for mitochondrial translation in humans. Encoded by the MRPL1 gene located on chromosome 4q21.1 , it is a component of the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit (39S) and plays a central role in synthesizing mitochondrial proteins essential for cellular energy production.
MRPL1 belongs to the L1 ribosomal protein family and contributes to the structural integrity of the 39S subunit. Key functions include:
Translation Elongation: Facilitates peptide bond formation during mitochondrial mRNA translation .
Ribosomal Stability: Maintains the 39S subunit’s conformation, enabling interactions with mitochondrial mRNA and transfer RNA (tRNA) .
Protein Synthesis Regulation: Collaborates with other mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs) to coordinate translation machinery .
MRPL1 is upregulated in breast cancer (BC) and correlates with poor survival outcomes . Key findings from a 2022 study include:
Mechanistic Insight: MRPL1 overexpression disrupts mitochondrial translation, potentially driving cancer progression via metabolic reprogramming .
MRPL1 interacts with other mitochondrial ribosomal proteins and translation factors:
MRPL1 exhibits ubiquitous expression due to its essential role in mitochondrial protein synthesis:
The MRPL1 gene is located on chromosome 4q21.1 in humans . It encodes a protein that is part of the L1 ribosomal protein family. The mitochondrial ribosome, or mitoribosome, consists of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. Unlike prokaryotic ribosomes, mitoribosomes have a higher protein to rRNA ratio (approximately 75% protein) and lack a 5S rRNA .