Component of the small ribosomal subunit . The ribosome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for the synthesis of proteins in the cell . Required for rRNA maturation . Part of the small subunit (SSU) processome, first precursor of the small eukaryotic ribosomal subunit. During the assembly of the SSU processome in the nucleolus, many ribosome biogenesis factors, an RNA chaperone and ribosomal proteins associate with the nascent pre-rRNA and work in concert to generate RNA folding, modifications, rearrangements and cleavage as well as targeted degradation of pre-ribosomal RNA by the RNA exosome .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Microtubule organizing center, Centrosome, Cytoplasm, Nucleus, Nucleolus
Although RPS7 is functional within the cytoplasm, the assembly of ribosomal subunits occurs in the nucleus. RPS7 nuclear import is mediated by IPO5/RanBP5, IPO7/RanBP7, KPNB1/importin-beta or TPNO1/Trn . Colocalizes with NEK6 in the centrosome .