Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S24 (MRPS24)

Mitochondrial ribosomes consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. They have an estimated 75% protein to rRNA composition compared to prokaryotic ribosomes. 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. MRPS24 encodes a 28S subunit protein. A pseudogene corresponding to this gene is found on chromosome 11.The deduced 166-amino acid MRPS24 protein has a calculated molecular mass of 18.9 kD. Removal of a predicted 35-amino acid N-terminal mitochondrial localization signal results in a mature protein of 15.1 kD.