Adapter protein that plays a role in endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits. Contributes to the internalization of cell surface receptors, such as integrin ITGB1 and transferrin receptor. Promotes endocytosis of EGFR in cancer cells, and thereby contributes to the down-regulation of EGFR signaling. Recruited to clathrin-coated pits during a mid-to-late stage of assembly, where it is required for normal progress from U-shaped intermediate stage pits to terminal, omega-shaped pits. Binds to membranes enriched in phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate or phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. When bound to membranes, promotes actin polymerization via its interaction with WAS and/or WASL which leads to the activation of the Arp2/3 complex. Does not promote actin polymerisation in the absence of membranes.