MRPL38 is a mitochondrial ribosomal protein L38 that functions as a structural component of the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit, facilitating mitochondrial translation 1. Beyond its canonical role in protein synthesis, MRPL38 participates in mitochondrial DNA stability maintenance, as demonstrated in yeast models where MRPL38 overexpression could compensate for defects in mtDNA replication and segregation 1. The protein is upregulated in aggressive ovarian cancer cells with enhanced metastatic potential, suggesting a role in cancer cell metabolism and antioxidative capacity 2. Genetically, MRPL38 variants are associated with multiple disease phenotypes: low-frequency nonsynonymous variants show novel association with white matter hyperintensities, a marker of cerebral small vessel disease 3, while a rare variant impacts cardiac structure and function traits including left ventricular dimensions 4. Additionally, MRPL38 has been identified as a novel genetic variant (c.430G>C, p.Gly144Arg) in liver cancer patients 5. These diverse associations suggest MRPL38 participates in both mitochondrial bioenergetics and disease-relevant cellular processes beyond its primary translational function, though the specific molecular mechanisms linking mitochondrial protein synthesis to these pathological phenotypes require further investigation.