The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000174780 (SRP72, signal recognition particle 72) is as follows. Component of the signal recognition particle (SRP) complex, a ribonucleoprotein complex that mediates the cotranslational targeting of secretory and membrane proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (PubMed:34020957). The SRP complex interacts with the signal sequence in nascent secretory and membrane proteins and directs them to the membrane of the ER (PubMed:34020957). The SRP complex targets the ribosome-nascent chain complex to the SRP receptor (SR), which is anchored in the ER, where SR compaction and GTPase rearrangement drive cotranslational protein translocation into the ER (PubMed:34020957). Binds the signal recognition particle RNA (7SL RNA) in presence of SRP68 (PubMed:21073748, PubMed:27899666). Can bind 7SL RNA with low affinity (PubMed:21073748, PubMed:27899666). The SRP complex possibly participates in the elongation arrest function (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P38688, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21073748, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27899666, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34020957}.