Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and help in protein synthesis within the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. They have an estimated 75% protein to rRNA composition compared to prokaryotic ribosomes, where this ratio is reversed. Another difference between mammalian mitoribosomes and prokaryotic ribosomes is that the latter contain a 5S rRNA. Among different species, the proteins comprising the mitoribosome differ greatly in sequence, and sometimes in biochemical properties, which prevents easy recognition by sequence homology. This gene encodes a 39S subunit protein that belongs to the L32 ribosomal protein family. A pseudogene corresponding to this gene is found on chromosome Xp.Suzuki T., J. Biol. Chem. 276:21724-21736(2001).The MGC Project Team; Genome Res. 14:2121-2127(2004).Kenmochi N., Genomics 77:65-70(2001).