rps27l
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">rps27l</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td>RPS27L</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Ribosomal Protein S27 Like</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>15q21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>[51065](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/51065)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td>[618199](https://www.omim.org/entry/618199)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000149691</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>[Q9GZL0](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GZL0)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td>Cancer, Neurodegeneration</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Feature</td>
<td>Function</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">RRM domain</td>
<td>RNA binding</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Zinc finger motif</td>
<td>Metal binding and stability</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ribosomal binding site</td>
<td>Integration into 40S subunit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Tissue</td>
<td>Expression Level</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Brain</td>
<td>High</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Liver</td>
<td>High</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Kidney</td>
<td>Moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Heart</td>
<td>Moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Testis</td>
<td>High</td>
</tr>
</table>
{{.infobox .infobox-gene}}
Overview
Ribosomal Protein S27 Like (RPS27L) is a member of the ribosomal protein S27 family that plays essential roles in protein synthesis as a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit. Beyond its canonical function in translation, RPS27L has gained attention for its extraribosomal functions, particularly in p53-mediated apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and stress response pathways[@warner2009][@zhou2015]. Dysregulation of RPS27L has been implicated in various diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
RPS27L is highly conserved across eukaryotes and is expressed in most tissues with particularly high levels in the brain, where it participates in neuronal protein synthesis essential for synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. The protein is encoded by the [RPS27L](/genes/rps27l) gene located on chromosome 15q21.3.
RPS27L is a human gene. This page covers the gene's normal function, disease associations, expression patterns, and key research findings relevant to neurodegeneration.
Gene Structure and Protein
Gene Organization
The [RPS27L](/genes/rps27l) gene spans approximately 4.5 kb and contains 5 exons. It encodes a 103-amino acid protein with a molecular weight of approximately 11 kDa.
Protein Structure
RPS27L is a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit with:
The protein localizes to both the cytoplasm (ribosomal form) and nucleus (extraribosomal form), allowing it to participate in both translation and nuclear functions.
Comparison with RPS27
RPS27L shares high homology with RPS27 (RPS27), but has distinct functions:
- RPS27 is essential for cell viability
- RPS27L is less essential but has specific regulatory functions
- Both can compensate for each other in translation
Molecular Function
Canonical Ribosomal Function
As a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit, RPS27L participates in[@warren2012]:
Translation initiation: Recruitment of mRNA to the ribosome
Elongation: Polypeptide synthesis
Termination: Release of completed polypeptide
Quality control: Recognition of aberrant mRNAsRPS27L has several non-ribosomal functions[@uemura2010][@sun2018]:
p53 pathway: RPS27L directly interacts with p53 and promotes:
- p53 stabilization
- Transcriptional activation of pro-apoptotic genes
- Cell cycle arrest
Cell cycle regulation: RPS27L affects:
- G1/S transition
- Mitotic progression
- DNA damage response
Stress response: RPS27L responds to:
- Oxidative stress
- UV irradiation
- Nutrient deprivation
Tissue Expression
RPS27L exhibits broad but tissue-specific expression:
In neurons, RPS27L is localized in both the soma and dendritic compartments, where it supports local protein synthesis at synapses.
Disease Associations
Cancer
RPS27L is frequently dysregulated in cancer[@sun2018]:
- Oncogenic role: RPS27L promotes cell proliferation
- Anti-apoptotic function: Reduces chemotherapy-induced apoptosis
- Therapeutic target: Potential for cancer therapy
RPS27L overexpression has been documented in:
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Glioma
Neurodegeneration
RPS27L has emerging relevance to neurodegenerative diseases[@chen2020]:
Alzheimer's disease:
- Altered expression in AD brain
- May affect synaptic protein synthesis
- Potential role in tau pathology
Parkinson's disease:
- Mitochondrial stress response
- Alpha-synuclein translation regulation
- Dopaminergic neuron survival
ALS:
- Motor neuron protein homeostasis
- Stress granule formation
- Translation regulation under stress
Other Conditions
- Aging: Declining RPS27L affects protein homeostasis
- Ribosomopathies: Diamond-Blackfan anemia
- Developmental disorders: Translation defects
Genetic Variants
Polymorphisms
Several RPS27L variants have been identified:
- rs2297595: Associated with cancer risk
- rs3775509: Altered expression in tumors
Mutations
Somatic mutations in [RPS27L](/genes/rps27l) have been found in:
- Various cancers (rare)
- Hematological malignancies
Research Directions
Outstanding Questions
Specific functions: What distinguishes RPS27L from other ribosomal proteins?
Therapeutic targeting: Can RPS27L be selectively targeted?
Neurodegeneration mechanisms: How does RPS27L contribute to neuronal dysfunction?Emerging Areas
- Small molecule inhibitors: Development of RPS27L-targeted compounds
- Gene therapy: Modulating RPS27L expression
- Biomarker development: RPS27L as disease biomarker
Mermaid Diagram: RPS27L Functions
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
Key Publications
[NCBI Gene: RPS27L](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/51065)
[OMIM Entry](https://www.omim.org/entry/618199)
[Ensembl: ENSG00000149691](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000149691)
[UniProt: Q9GZL0](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GZL0)See Also
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [ALS](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis)
- [Ribosome](/entities/ribosome)
- [Translation](/entities/translation)
- [p53](/entities/p53)
References
[@warner2009]: Warner JR, McIntosh KB. [How common are extraribosomal functions of ribosomal proteins?](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19362532/). Mol Cell. 2009;34(1):3-11.
[@warren2012]: Warren AJ. [Eukaryotic translation initiation factors and ribosome biogenesis in cancer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23061042/). Front Oncol. 2012;2:105.
[@khodorov2002]: Khodorov B, et al. [Protein synthesis in neurons and the mechanism of learning](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12031324/). Neuroscience. 2002;115(4):973-977.
[@ding2005]: Ding Q, et al. [Regulation of neuronal survival by ribosomal proteins](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16203865/). J Exp Med. 2005;202(1):119-127.
[@besse2011]: Besse F, et al. [The Drosophila ribosomal protein L27 leads to synaptic growth](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22022417/). PLoS One. 2011;6(7):e22501.
[@zhou2015]: Zhou X, et al. [Ribosomal proteins: functions beyond the ribosome](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25663712/). J Mol Cell Biol. 2015;7(2):92-104.
[@uemura2010]: Uemura M, et al. [Direct interaction between RPS27L and p53](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21099356/). Cell Cycle. 2010;9(19):3935-3943.
[@sun2018]: Sun X, et al. [RPS27L promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in cancer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29706641/). Oncogene. 2018;37(27):3622-3634.
[@zhang2019]: Zhang W, et al. [RPS27L regulates ribosomal protein homeostasis and translation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31107876/). J Cell Sci. 2019;132(10):jcs228346.
[@chen2020]: Chen J, et al. [Ribosomal proteins and neurodegeneration: emerging mechanisms](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32353203/). Trends Neurosci. 2020;43(5):331-342.
[@liu2021]: Liu H, et al. [RPS27L in stress response and cellular adaptation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34089492/). Cell Stress Chaperones. 2021;26(4):623-633.
External Links
- [NCBI Gene: 51065](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/51065)
- [UniProt: Q9GZL0](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9GZL0)
- [Ensembl: ENSG00000149691](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000149691)