The gene for ribosomal protein L31, rpmE, is located at 88.5 minutes on the Escherichia coli chromosomal linkage map.

Two mutations resulting in an alteration in large-subunit ribosomal protein L31 were mapped at around 88.5 min on the Escherichia coli chromosomal linkage map. They were located between metB and argH and cotransduced over 90% with metB. These mutations were shown to define the structural gene of protein L31, rpmE.