With S4 and S5 plays an important role in translational accuracy. Located at the interface of the 30S and 50S subunits (By similarity). Part of the 30S ribosomal subunit. Expressed in all plant tissues. Exons 2 and 3 are cis-spliced, while a trans-splicing reaction is required to link exons 1 and 2. Belongs to the universal ribosomal protein uS12 family.