Predicted to be a structural constituent of ribosome. Predicted to be involved in mitochondrial translational elongation. Predicted to be part of mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit. Predicted to be active in nucleus. Is expressed in several structures, including adult head; adult heart; embryonic/larval midgut; and embryonic/larval midgut primordium. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency 16. Orthologous to human MRPL44 (mitochondrial ribosomal protein L44).