Regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics underlying cell motility and adhesion. Functions as a component of the WAVE complex, which activates actin nucleating machinery Arp2/3 to drive lamellipodia formation. Acts as regulator and substrate of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases ABL1 and ABL2 involved in processes linked to cell growth and differentiation. Positively regulates ABL1-mediated phosphorylation of ENAH, which is required for proper polymerization of nucleated actin filaments at the leading edge. Contributes to the regulation of actin assembly at the tips of neuron projections. In particular, controls dendritic spine morphogenesis and may promote dendritic spine specification toward large mushroom-type spines known as repositories of memory in the brain. In hippocampal neurons, may mediate actin-dependent BDNF-NTRK2 early endocytic trafficking that triggers dendrite outgrowth. Participates in ocular lens morphogenesis, likely by regulating lamellipodia-driven adherens junction formation at the epithelial cell-secondary lens fiber interface. Also required for nascent adherens junction assembly in epithelial cells.
