Mrpl23, a gene encoding a mitochondrial ribosomal protein, is an essential component for the structural and functional integrity of the mitoribosome complex [1]. Mitoribosomes are crucial for the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins, which are involved in various cellular processes such as energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. The gene's consistent expression throughout early embryogenesis with little stage or tissue specificity implies its fundamental role in basic cellular functions [1].

In the context of diseases, high MRPL23 protein expression is associated with poorer overall survival in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients and is an independent prognostic marker, while its mRNA levels are elevated in ccRCC tissues [2]. In addition, HSPCs expressing MRPL23 may contribute to differentiation bias into the myeloid lineage [3]. Also, MRPL23 is one of the 10 key genes associated with Alzheimer's disease and M1 macrophages [4]. Moreover, it is among five genes significantly differentially expressed in the tissue of patients with neuropathic pain compared to controls, potentially serving as a therapeutic target for neuropathic pain [5].

In summary, Mrpl23 is vital for the mitoribosome's function in mitochondrial protein synthesis. Research on its role in diseases like ccRCC, Alzheimer's disease, and neuropathic pain, as well as in cell lineage differentiation, has provided insights into potential disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The study of Mrpl23 contributes to a better understanding of these biological processes and disease conditions.

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. Podemska, Edyta, Borowczak, Jędrzej, Łukasik, Damian, Grzanka, Dariusz, Durślewicz, Justyna. 2024. High Expression of MRPL23 Is Associated with Poor Survival in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. In Cancers, 16, . doi:10.3390/cancers16233909. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39682098/

3. Hua, Junnan, Wang, Ke, Chen, Yue, Ouyang, Wenjie, Liu, Chao. . Molecular characterization of human HSPCs with different cell fates in vivo using single-cell transcriptome analysis and lentiviral barcoding technology. In Clinical and translational medicine, 14, e70085. doi:10.1002/ctm2.70085. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39538416/

4. Liu, Chenming, Zhang, Xi, Chai, Huazhen, Luo, Yuping, Li, Siguang. 2022. Identification of Immune Cells and Key Genes associated with Alzheimer's Disease. In International journal of medical sciences, 19, 112-125. doi:10.7150/ijms.66422. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34975305/

5. Hu, Ling, Yin, Wei, Ma, Yao, Zhang, Qiushi, Xu, Qingbang. 2023. Gene expression signature of human neuropathic pain identified through transcriptome analysis. In Frontiers in genetics, 14, 1127167. doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1127167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36816032/