Ribosomal Protein L18 (RPL18)

Ribosomes, the organelles that catalyze protein synthesis, consist of a small 40S subunit and a large 60S subunit. Together these subunits are composed of 4 RNA species and approximately 80 structurally distinct proteins.

RPL18 encodes a ribosomal protein that is a component of the 60S subunit. The protein belongs to the L18E family of ribosomal proteins. It is located in the cytoplasm. As is typical for genes encoding ribosomal proteins, there are multiple processed pseudogenes of this gene dispersed through the genome.The deduced 188-amino acid human RPL18 protein is 97% identical to rat Rpl18. Northern blot analysis detected an approximately 650-bp RPL18 transcript in human liver and colon.