This gene encodes a member of the fascin family of actin-binding proteins. Fascin proteins organize F-actin into parallel bundles, and are required for the formation of actin-based cellular protrusions. The encoded protein plays a critical role in cell migration, motility, adhesion and cellular interactions. Expression of this gene is known to be regulated by several microRNAs, and overexpression of this gene may play a role in the metastasis of multiple types of cancer by increasing cell motility. Expression of this gene is also a marker for Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma. A pseudogene of this gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 15. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2011]
Forensic Context
A study in the forensically important fly *Sarcophaga peregrina* demonstrated that the FSCN1 is a consistently up-regulated gene marker during postembryonic development from larval to pupal stages [Ren et al. DOI:10.3390/insects13050453].