Forms part of the ribosomal stalk, playing a central role in the interaction of the ribosome with GTP-bound translation factors. Protein L10 is also a translational repressor protein. It controls the translation of the rplJL-rpoBC operon by binding to its mRNA. Part of the ribosomal stalk of the 50S ribosomal subunit (PubMed:15923259). The N-terminus interacts with L11 and the large rRNA to form the base of the stalk. The C-terminus forms an elongated spine to which 2 L12 dimers bind in a sequential fashion forming a pentameric L10(L12)(L12)2 complex. Two L12 dimers associate with a copy of L10 to form a very strong complex (called L8). Isolated L10(L12)4. Ribosomal protein L8 appears to be an aggregate of ribosomal proteins L7/L12 and L10. Belongs to the universal ribosomal protein uL10 family.