This gene encodes a multifunctional protein that localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. In the cytoplasm, the encoded protein is an auxiliary component of the macromolecular aminoacyl-tRNA synthase complex. However, its mouse homolog has been shown to translocate to the nucleus in response to DNA damage, and it plays a positive role in ATM/ATR-mediated p53 activation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. Read-through transcription also exists between this gene and the neighboring downstream MUTED (muted homolog) gene. An EEF1E1-related pseudogene has been identified on chromosome 2.