Multifunctional protein which primarily functions within the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase multienzyme complex, also known as multisynthetase complex. Within the complex it catalyzes the attachment of both L-glutamate and L-proline to their cognate tRNAs in a two-step reaction where the amino acid is first activated by ATP to form a covalent intermediate with AMP. Subsequently, the activated amino acid is transferred to the acceptor end of the cognate tRNA to form L-glutamyl-tRNA(Glu) and L-prolyl-tRNA(Pro) (PubMed:23263184, PubMed:24100331, PubMed:29576217, PubMed:3290852, PubMed:37212275). Upon interferon-gamma stimulation, EPRS1 undergoes phosphorylation, causing its dissociation from the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase multienzyme complex. It is recruited to form the GAIT complex, which binds to stem loop-containing GAIT elements found in the 3′-UTR of various inflammatory mRNAs, such as ceruloplasmin. The GAIT complex inhibits the translation of these mRNAs, allowing interferon-gamma to redirect the function of EPRS1 from protein synthesis to translation inhibition in specific cell contexts (PubMed:15479637, PubMed:23071094). Furthermore, it can function as a downstream effector in the mTORC1 signaling pathway, by promoting the translocation of SLC27A1 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane where it mediates the uptake of long-chain fatty acid by adipocytes. Thereby, EPRS1 also plays a role in fat metabolism and more indirectly influences lifespan (PubMed:28178239).
