This gene encodes the 72 kDa subunit of the signal recognition particle (SRP), a ribonucleoprotein complex that mediates the targeting of secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The SRP complex consists of a 7S RNA and 6 protein subunits: SRP9, SRP14, SRP19, SRP54, SRP68, and SRP72, that are bound to the 7S RNA as monomers or heterodimers. SRP has at least 3 distinct functions that can be associated with the protein subunits: signal recognition, translational arrest, and ER membrane targeting by interaction with the docking protein. Mutations in this gene are associated with familial bone marrow failure. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2012]