Mrpl11 encodes a mitochondrial ribosomal protein, which is an essential component for the structural and functional integrity of the mitoribosome complex [1]. Mitoribosomes are crucial for mitochondrial translation, and thus, Mrpl11 indirectly contributes to various mitochondrial functions such as energy metabolism and apoptosis [2].

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a decrease in the expression of Mrpl11 was associated with a defect in the mitochondrial translation machinery, as evidenced by reduced expression of OXPHOS subunits [2]. In uterine cervical cancer, the expression of Mrpl11 was among the genes that correlated with progression-free survival and was associated with a metastatic phenotype related to rapid proliferation, oxidative phosphorylation, invasiveness, and tumor size [3]. In a study on COVID-19 and preeclampsia, Mrpl11 was identified as one of the top 10 hub genes, suggesting its potential role in the shared molecular mechanisms of these two conditions [4]. Additionally, in wheat, Mrpl11 expression was found to be tissue-specifically regulated, with differences in transcript sizes and responses to cold stress [5].

In conclusion, Mrpl11 is essential for the proper function of the mitoribosome and mitochondrial translation. Its dysregulation is associated with various diseases such as HNSCC and uterine cervical cancer, and it may play a role in the shared mechanisms between COVID-19 and preeclampsia. Understanding Mrpl11's function through research in different models helps in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases.

References:

1. Cheong, Agnes, Lingutla, Ranjana, Mager, Jesse. 2020. Expression analysis of mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal protein genes. In Gene expression patterns : GEP, 38, 119147. doi:10.1016/j.gep.2020.119147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32987154/

2. Koc, Emine C, Haciosmanoglu, Ebru, Claudio, Pier Paolo, Cortese, Antonio, Koc, Hasan. 2015. Impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In Mitochondrion, 24, 113-21. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2015.07.123. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26238294/

3. Lyng, Heidi, Brøvig, Runar S, Svendsrud, Debbie H, Kristensen, Gunnar B, Stokke, Trond. 2006. Gene expressions and copy numbers associated with metastatic phenotypes of uterine cervical cancer. In BMC genomics, 7, 268. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17054779/

4. Chu, Yijing, Li, Min, Sun, Mingze, Xin, Wan, Xu, Lin. 2024. Gene crosstalk between COVID-19 and preeclampsia revealed by blood transcriptome analysis. In Frontiers in immunology, 14, 1243450. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243450. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38259479/

5. Handa, H, Kobayashi-Uehara, A, Murayama, S. . Characterization of a wheat cDNA encoding mitochondrial ribosomal protein L11: qualitative and quantitative tissue-specific differences in its expression. In Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG, 265, 569-75. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11459176/