RNA-binding component of the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (mt-SSU) that plays a role in mitochondrial protein synthesis (PubMed:22841715). Stimulates mitochondrial mRNA translation of subunit components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (PubMed:22841715). Binds to the mitochondrial 12S rRNA (12S mt-rRNA) and tRNA(Glu) (PubMed:22841715). Involved also in positive regulation of cell proliferation and tumor cell growth (PubMed:28714366). . This is the function of ENSG00000113048 (MRPS27, mitochondrial ribosomal protein S27).