EOLA1 is a 158 amino acid protein that may have a role in cell protection during an inflammation reaction. EOLA1 is expressed at high levels in skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, heart and placenta, with lower expression found in colon, small intestine and spleen. EOLA1 interacts with Metallothionein 2A, a member of the Metallothionein family. Metallothioneins are a group of ubiquitous low-molecular-weight proteins that have functional roles in cell growth, repair and differentiation. Due to their essential role in the protection of cells against the toxicity of cadmium, mercury, and copper, metallothioneins are implicated primarily in metal ion detoxification. Metallothionein, as an acute phase or stress-response protein and free radical scavenger, is related to inflammation and cellular protection from reactive forms of oxygen, ionizing radiation, pharmacological agents and mutagens. Metallothioneins are known to be broadly expressed in heart, liver, kidney, breast and testis tissue.