Mtrf1l, known as mitochondrial translational release factor 1 like, is a key mitochondrial translation factor. The mitochondrial translation process, where mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes are translated into proteins, is crucial for mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and integrity, and Mtrf1l is involved in the termination phase of this process [2,3]. It is among a series of factors that coordinate mitochondrial translation, which is essential for overall cellular energy production, metabolism, and other mitochondrial-related biological processes.

Muscle denervation in mice led to a decrease in the expression of Mtrf1l along with other mitochondrial translation factors, corresponding with a reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis [2]. In contrast, exercise training in mice upregulated Mtrf1l and other mitochondrial translation factors in the plantaris muscle, suggesting that Mtrf1l expression is related to mitochondrial biogenesis under different physiological conditions [3]. Also, in bovine oocytes, differences in Mtrf1l transcript levels were found between oocytes with greater and less developmental competence, indicating its potential role in oocyte development [1].

In conclusion, Mtrf1l is an important mitochondrial translation factor in the termination phase of mitochondrial translation, playing a role in processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis, as revealed by mouse models of muscle denervation and exercise, and potentially in oocyte development as shown in bovine studies. These findings contribute to our understanding of mitochondrial-related physiological processes and may have implications for understanding muscle-related and reproductive-related conditions.