Ribosomal protein uS3 in cell biology and human disease: Latest insights and prospects

The conserved ribosomal protein uS3 in eukaryotes has long been known as one of the essential components of the small (40S) ribosomal subunit, which is involved in the structure of the 40S mRNA entry pore, ensuring the functioning of the 40S subunit during translation initiation. Besides, uS3, being outside the ribosome, is engaged in various cellular processes related to DNA repair, NF-kB signaling pathway and regulation of apoptosis. This review is devoted to recent data opening new horizons in understanding the roles of uS3 in such processes as the assembly and maturation of 40S subunits, ensuring proper structure of 48S pre-initiation complexes, regulation of initiation and ribosome-based RNA quality control pathways. Besides, we summarize novel results on the participation of the protein in processes beyond translation and consider biomedical implications of previously known and recently found extra-ribosomal functions of uS3, primarily, in oncogenesis.