MRPL41 (mitochondrial ribosomal protein L41) serves as a structural component of the mitochondrial ribosome large subunit, essential for mitochondrial protein translation 1. Beyond its ribosomal function, MRPL41 plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis by enhancing p53 stability and promoting its translocation to mitochondria, thereby contributing to p53-induced apoptosis under growth-inhibitory conditions 1. The protein can arrest cell cycle at G1 phase through multiple mechanisms: in p53-expressing cells, it stabilizes p53 and promotes apoptosis, while in p53-absent cells, it stabilizes p27Kip1 and increases p21WAF1/CIP1 levels to induce G1 arrest 12. MRPL41 exhibits tumor suppressor properties, showing lower expression in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues and inhibiting cancer cell growth both in culture and in nude mice 1. The protein's interaction with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 involves a specific motif (amino acids 13-17), particularly aspartic acid residue 16, which is essential for this binding 3. In disease contexts, MRPL41 has been identified as a potential causal gene for Alzheimer's disease through Mendelian randomization studies and shows diagnostic potential in ischemic stroke 45. The gene's expression is epigenetically regulated in breast cancer, showing differential patterns based on estrogen receptor status 6.