SLIRP is a mitochondrial RNA-binding protein that functions primarily as a post-transcriptional regulator of mitochondrial gene expression. As part of a ribonucleoprotein complex with LRPPRC, SLIRP stabilizes mitochondrial mRNAs and facilitates their delivery to mitoribosomes for translation 12. The LRPPRC-SLIRP complex directly binds mRNAs and associates with mitoribosomal proteins to form a corridor for mRNA handoff, with transcript-specific effects on translation efficiency, particularly affecting cytochrome c oxidase subunits 2. Beyond mitochondrial function, SLIRP acts as a nuclear receptor corepressor, interacting with androgen receptor in an androgen- and kinase-regulated manner to modulate transcription of AR target genes 3. In skeletal muscle, SLIRP regulates mitochondrial structure and respiration as a PGC-1α target, with exercise training increasing SLIRP expression across sexes, though less prominently in type 2 diabetes 4. Pathologically, mutations in SLIRP cause devastating mitochondrial diseases including Leigh syndrome characterized by COX deficiency 1. Recently, SLIRP was identified as an amplifier of antiviral signaling through positive feedback regulation of mitochondrial dsRNA-triggered responses, contributing to autoimmune disease pathogenesis 5. SLIRP loss also reduces sperm motility and increases oxidative stress, affecting male fertility 6.