This gene encodes a cytoskeletal protein that is required for organizing the actin cytoskeleton. The protein is a component of actin-containing microfilaments, and it is involved in the control of cell shape, adhesion, and contraction. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with a susceptibility to pancreatic cancer type 1, and also with a risk for myocardial infarction. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]