Ribosomal Protein S7 (RPS7) is a crucial component of the ribosome, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. In humans, RPS7 is encoded by the RPS7 gene located on chromosome 2 (2p25.3) . This protein is part of the 40S subunit of the ribosome and belongs to the S7E family of ribosomal proteins .
RPS7 is a cytoplasmic protein that plays a vital role in the assembly and function of the ribosome. The ribosome itself consists of two subunits: the small 40S subunit and the large 60S subunit. Together, these subunits are composed of four RNA species and approximately 80 structurally distinct proteins . RPS7 is specifically a component of the 40S subunit, contributing to the ribosome’s ability to catalyze protein synthesis .
The RPS7 gene is highly conserved across different species, indicating its essential role in cellular function. As is typical for genes encoding ribosomal proteins, there are multiple processed pseudogenes of RPS7 dispersed throughout the genome . The gene has several aliases, including DBA8 and eS7 .
RPS7 is expressed in various tissues, including lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, testis, and skeletal muscle . It is involved in several cellular processes such as cell proliferation, immune response, and protein ubiquitination . The protein’s expression and localization are crucial for its function in the ribosome and its role in protein synthesis.
Recombinant RPS7 is used in various research applications to study ribosome function and protein synthesis. Understanding the role of RPS7 can provide insights into the mechanisms of translation and the impact of ribosomal dysfunction in diseases.