Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L14 (MRPL14)

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. MRPL14 encodes a 39S subunit protein. A pseudogene corresponding to this gene is found at 17p13.3. The deduced human protein contains a 64-amino acid N-terminal mitochondrial import signal.