Enables 5.8S rRNA binding activity. Predicted to be involved in positive regulation of cell population proliferation; ribosomal small subunit biogenesis; and translation. Part of cytosolic small ribosomal subunit. Orthologous to human RPS9 (ribosomal protein S9); PARTICIPATES IN ribosome biogenesis pathway; translation pathway; INTERACTS WITH 17beta-estradiol; 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxine.