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. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Danielsson, Wiking, Mahdessian, Skogs, Ait Blal, Hjelmare, Stadler, Uhlén, Lundberg: "RNA deep sequencing as a tool for selection of cell lines for systematic subcellular localization of all human proteins." in: Journal of proteome research, Vol. 12, Issue 1, pp. 299-307, (2013) (PubMed).