MRPS16 (mitochondrial ribosomal protein S16) is a structural component of the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit involved in mitochondrial translation 1. As a mitochondrial ribosomal protein, MRPS16 functions in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis and is regulated by post-translational modifications including m6A RNA methylation and ubiquitin-mediated degradation 2. MRPS16 is primarily implicated in cancer progression across multiple malignancies. Its expression is upregulated in gliomas, where it promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the Wnt/β-catenin/NFATC2 pathway 3. In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, FTO upregulates MRPS16 via m6A-modification, promoting ribosome biogenesis and tumorigenesis; FTO inhibition synergizes with Doxorubicin to induce mitochondrial dysfunction 2. MRPS16 expression correlates with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer and serves as a potential therapeutic target 4. Additionally, MRPS16 is associated with embryonic lethality in severe Mendelian disorders 5 and identified as a potential biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid carcinoma 67. Clinically, MRPS16 represents a promising therapeutic target, with MRPS16 inhibition showing potential for cancer treatment, particularly in glioma.