Cell membrane-cytoskeleton-associated protein that plays a role in the regulation of actin polymerization at the barbed end of actin filaments. Prevents F-actin heterodimeric capping protein (CP) activity at the leading edges of migrating cells, and hence generates uncapped barbed ends and enhances actin polymerization . Plays a role in cell protrusion formations; involved in cell polarity, lamellipodial assembly, membrane ruffling and macropinosome formations ( ). Involved as well in cell migration and invadopodia formation during wound healing ( ). Required for CD28-mediated stimulation of NF-kappa-B signaling, involved in naive T cells activation, maturation into T memory cells, and differentiation into T helper and T regulatory cells ( ).
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cell membrane, Cell projection, Lamellipodium, Cell projection, Ruffle
Colocalizes to dynamic vimentin filaments both in the central cytoplasm and at leading edges of migrating cells ( ). Colocalizes with F-actin, Arp2/3 complex and cortactin to leading edge lamellipodia, ruffles and macropinosomes of migrating cells .
Expressed in all tissues tested, including thymus, spleen, colon, leukocytes, peripheral blood, skin, skin keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts. Strong expression is detected in naive and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, naive and memory B cells, regulatory T cells and NK cells, whereas it is poorly expressed in monocytes .