Small ribosomal subunit protein uS17

Small ribosomal subunit protein uS17 (RPS11) is a structural component of the small ribosomal subunit and participates in early ribosome biogenesis within the nucleolus. As part of the small subunit (SSU) processome, it associates with pre-rRNA and facilitates RNA folding, modification, and processing alongside ribosome biogenesis factors (UniProt: P62280).

RPS11 functions broadly in cellular protein synthesis, a fundamental housekeeping process. The protein is involved in the coordinated assembly and maturation of ribosomal subunits, which are essential for translation across all cell types.

RPS11 is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease brain tissue compared to age-matched controls (mean log2FC = 0.41; Chaparral AD proteomics). This elevation was detected via quantitative proteomics in post-mortem AD brain specimens, though the direction and magnitude of change suggest a modest upregulation. The functional significance of increased ribosomal protein levels in AD pathology remains to be elucidated.