This gene encodes a member of the actin family of proteins. Actins are highly conserved proteins that are among the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells and are involved in cell motility, structure, and integrity. Localization, stability, and translation of the transcribed mRNA are regulated through the binding of multiple factors to its 3' UTR sequence. Homozygous knockout mice for this gene exhibit embryonic lethality. Numerous pseudogenes of this gene have been identified in the mouse genome. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]