EEA1

The gene EEA1 encodes for the 1400 amino acid protein, Early Endosome Antigen 1.

EEA1 localizes exclusively to early endosomes and has an important role in endosomal trafficking. EEA1 binds directly to the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate through its C-terminal FYVE domain and forms a homodimer through a coiled coil. EEA1 acts as a tethering molecule that couples vesicle docking with SNAREs such as N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein, bringing the endosomes physically closer and ultimately resulting in the fusion and delivery of endosomal cargo.

Function
EEA1 is a RAB5A effector protein which binds via an N-terminal zinc finger domain and is required for fusion of early and late endosomes and for sorting at the early endosome level.

EEA1 plays a role in endocytosis and is recruited by Rab5-GTP to endosomal membranes. EEA1 may be regulated through monoubiquination, affecting endosome fusion and trafficking. Ubiquitin selective segregase p97 may regulate EEA1's tethering ability, affecting its endosome trafficking and morphplogy.

Involvement in pathogenesis
Due to the proteins importance in vesicular trafficking, a number of intracellular bacteria prevent EEA1 recruitment to the vacuole. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is known to inhibit the recruitment of EEA1 to the phagosomal membrane through CamKII. Legionella pneumophila also prevents EEA1 recruitment through a currently unknown mechanism. The related pathogen Legionella longbeachae recruits EEA1 and appears to replicate within a modified early endosome.