Ribosomal Protein S3A (RPS3A) is a crucial component of the ribosome, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. This protein belongs to the S3AE family of ribosomal proteins and is a part of the 40S subunit of the ribosome. The recombinant form of this protein, expressed in E. coli, is often used in research to study its structure and function.
RPS3A is composed of 264 amino acids and has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 32.5 kDa . The protein is typically tagged with a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification. The amino acid sequence of RPS3A includes several regions that are crucial for its function in the ribosome.
The primary role of RPS3A is to contribute to the assembly and stability of the 40S ribosomal subunit. Ribosomes are composed of two subunits: the small 40S subunit and the large 60S subunit. Together, these subunits are made up of four RNA species and around 80 structurally distinct proteins .
RPS3A is not only essential for protein synthesis but also plays a role in various cellular processes. Disruption of the gene encoding RPS3A in rat cells has been shown to revert the transformed phenotype of v-fos-transformed cells, indicating its role in cellular transformation and cancer .
Additionally, RPS3A has been implicated in several extraribosomal functions, including DNA repair, apoptosis, and the innate immune response to bacterial infection . These functions highlight the multifunctional nature of ribosomal proteins beyond their traditional role in protein synthesis.
Recombinant RPS3A is widely used in various research applications, including: