– Cytoskeletal linker protein. Acts as an integrator of intermediate filaments, actin and microtubule cytoskeleton networks. Required for anchoring either intermediate filaments to the actin cytoskeleton in neural and muscle cells or keratin-containing intermediate filaments to hemidesmosomes in epithelial cells. The proteins may self-aggregate to form filaments or a two-dimensional mesh. Regulates the organization and stability of the microtubule network of sensory neurons to allow axonal transport. Mediates docking of the dynein/dynactin motor complex to vesicle cargos for retrograde axonal transport through its interaction with TMEM108 and DCTN1.; plays a structural role in the assembly of hemidesmosomes of epithelial cells; anchors keratin-containing intermediate filaments to the inner plaque of hemidesmosomes. Required for the regulation of keratinocyte polarity and motility; mediates integrin ITGB4 regulation of RAC1 activity.; required for bundling actin filaments around the nucleus.; regulates the organization and stability of the microtubule network of sensory neurons to allow axonal transport.