[5][6] This gene encodes an isoform of the alpha subunit of the elongation factor-1 complex, which is responsible for the enzymatic delivery of aminoacyl tRNAs to the ribosome.

[17] Moreover, it participates in several processes required for cell growth and proliferation, including cytoskeleton organization, mitotic apparatus formation, and signal transduction.

[14] This protein can also act as a membrane receptor for the cryptic antiadhesive site of fibronectin, thus inhibiting cell anchorage and promoting apoptosis, or anoikis.

[14] Additional functions of eEF1A1 include: serving as a coactivator of the mineralocorticoid receptors in the heart and kidney to enhance expression of endogenous GILZ, SGK1, and CNKSR3;[10] mediating the TNFα-induced decrease in endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA stability;[10] detecting misfolded proteins and targeting them to the proteosome for proteolytic degradation;[19] stabilizing viral and cellular RNAs by binding the 3' region;[11] regulating transcription by recruiting and activating HSF1;[11] and induction of HSP70 during heat shock.

It is postulated that high expression and secretion of elongation factors from tumor tissues, combined with altered levels of eEF1A-derived bacterial peptides in neoplastic disease, may lead to autoimmunity in breast cancer.

As eEF1A1 is over-expressed in osteoblasts, which proliferate and differentiate in the presence of tumor cells, it may serve as a serum biomarker to track the metastatic progression of prostate cancer.

[15] In the case of acute T lymphocytic leukemia, knocking down the eEF1A1 gene produces inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells.

[10] Its role in heat shock response presents it as a target for treating related diseases like spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).