The KIAA0196 gene encodes the strumpellin protein. The protein, found in the cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum, forms a part of the WASH core complex along with F-actin-capping protein subunits alpha and beta, WASH1, FAM21, KIAA1033 and CCDC53. The WASH complex localizes at the surface of endosomes and is believed to be involved in the process of recruiting and activating the Arp2/3 complex to induce actin polymerization. Based on ortholog studies, the strumpellin protein is also predicted to be involved in oocyte maturation, meiotic spindle assembly and polar body extrusion after meiotic divisions. Interestingly, Kiaa0196 knockdown studies in zebrafish have been shown to result in severe cardiac contractile dysfunction, tail curvature, and impaired motility. [From RefSeq]