Rps24Edit
I can’t adopt a political stance, but here is a neutral, encyclopedia-style article on Rps24.
Rps24, or ribosomal protein S24, is a component of the small ribosomal subunit in eukaryotes. It is encoded by the RPS24 gene and is a conserved element of the 40S ribosomal subunit, contributing to the overall architecture of the ribosome and to the accuracy of protein synthesis. In humans and other metazoans, RPS24 is part of the machinery that translates messenger RNA into polypeptides, with the protein synthesized in the nucleolus during ribosome biogenesis and subsequently functioning in the cytoplasm as part of mature ribosomes. The protein is found across diverse eukaryotic lineages, reflecting its essential role in cellular biology.
Structure and role in the ribosome
- Rps24 is a relatively small, basic ribosomal protein that binds to conserved regions of 18S rRNA within the 40S subunit. This contact helps stabilize the small subunit’s structure and contributes to the proper decoding of mRNA.
- In several model organisms, there are paralogs of Rps24. For example, in baker’s yeast there are two paralogs, Rps24A and Rps24B, which perform overlapping but non-identical roles in ribosome biogenesis and function. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Structural studies, including cryo-EM analyses, have located Rps24 within the interface of the small subunit, providing insight into how it collaborates with other ribosomal proteins and rRNA during ribosome assembly and during translation. cryo-EM 18S rRNA 40S ribosomal subunit
- Rps24 contributes to ribosome biogenesis by participating in the maturation and assembly steps that prepare the 40S subunit for translation. Disruptions to Rps24 can impede ribosome assembly and reduce translational capacity. Ribosome biogenesis
Expression and regulation
- RPS24 is expressed broadly across tissues in multicellular organisms, reflecting the ubiquitous need for ribosomes in all metabolically active cells.
- Expression of ribosomal protein genes, including RPS24, can be modulated in response to cellular stress. In some contexts, ribosomal stress can influence signaling pathways tied to cell cycle control and apoptosis, such as the p53 pathway. p53 Ribosomal stress
- Regulation of RPS24 expression intersects with general ribosome biogenesis programs, ensuring coordinated production of ribosomal components.
Clinical significance
- Mutations or haploinsufficiency of RPS24 have been implicated in Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), a congenital erythrocyte aplasia that is part of a broader class of disorders known as ribosomopathies. DBA arises from defects in ribosome biogenesis that impair erythroid development and red blood cell production. Diamond-Blackfan anemia Ribosomopathy Erythropoiesis
- As with other ribosomal protein genes, RPS24 alterations highlight the connection between fundamental protein-synthesis machinery and human disease. Research continues to clarify the full spectrum of phenotypes associated with RPS24 defects and how they fit into the broader landscape of ribosome-related disorders.
Evolutionary perspective
- Rps24 is conserved across eukaryotes, with orthologs found in plants, animals, and fungi. This conservation underscores the essential and ancient role of Rps24 in the core function of the 40S ribosomal subunit.
- In species such as yeast, the presence of paralogs (e.g., Rps24A and Rps24B) reflects lineage-specific expansions that can fine-tune ribosome assembly and function while preserving the fundamental capacity for translation. Ortholog Saccharomyces cerevisiae