This superfamily entry consists of the ribosomal protein L14 found in the large subunit of the prokaryotic, mitochondrial and plastid ribosome. The eukaryotic homologue of L14 is L23. Based on sequence alignment, L14 has a significant homology to L30. L14 directly binds to 23S rRNA.

The structure of L14 comprises a five-stranded beta-barrel, a C-terminal loop region that contains two small alpha-helices, and a beta-ribbon that projects from the beta-barrel. An analysis of the structure and the conserved amino acids reveals three surface patches that probably mediate L14-RNA and L14-protein interactions within the ribosome. As a ribosomal protein, L14 has a role in the folding and stabilisation of ribosomal RNA, binding RNA at two sites (RNA-binding site 1 at the N-terminus and RNA-binding site 2 at the C-terminus). One RNA-binding site appears to recognise a distinct region of ribosomal RNA during particle assembly. The second site is smaller and may become occupied during the later compaction of the RNA. The surface hydrophobic patch is a likely site of protein-protein interaction (the protein-binding site), possibly with L19.

INTERPRO:IPR036853, PFAM:PF00238,PMID:15299380,PMID:8805509