Component of the elongator complex, a multiprotein complex which is required for multiple tRNA modifications, including mcm5U (5-methoxycarbonylmethyl uridine), mcm5s2U (5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine), and ncm5U (5-carbamoylmethyl uridine) (PubMed:22768388). The elongator complex catalyzes formation of carboxymethyluridine in the wobble base at position 34 in tRNAs (PubMed:29332244). ELP1 binds to tRNA, mediating interaction of the elongator complex with tRNA (By similarity). tRNA modification; 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine-tRNA biosynthesis. Homodimer. Component of the elongator complex. Belongs to the ELP1/IKA1 family. The elongator complex was originally thought to play a role in transcription elongation. However, it is no longer thought to play a direct role in this process and its primary function is thought to be in tRNA modification.