Ribosomal protein S6 is a component of the ribosome, which is essential for protein synthesis in all living cells. It is part of the 40S ribosomal subunit and plays a crucial role in translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. S6 is involved in the regulation of ribosome biogenesis and is important for cell growth and proliferation. In addition to its role in protein synthesis, ribosomal protein S6 is also implicated in various cellular signaling pathways, particularly those related to mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin). This protein can influence cell metabolism and growth in response to nutrients and growth factors, making it significant in studies of cancer and other diseases.