Adapter or scaffold protein which participates in the assembly of numerous protein complexes and is involved in several cellular processes such as cell fate determination, cytoskeletal organization, repression of gene transcription, cell-cell adhesion, cell differentiation, proliferation and migration. Positively regulates microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing. Negatively regulates Hippo signaling pathway and antagonizes phosphorylation of YAP1. Acts as a transcriptional corepressor for SNAI1 and SNAI2/SLUG-dependent repression of E-cadherin transcription. Acts as a hypoxic regulator by bridging an association between the prolyl hydroxylases and VHL enabling efficient degradation of HIF1A. In podocytes, may play a role in the regulation of actin dynamics and/or foot process cytoarchitecture. In the course of podocyte injury, shuttles into the nucleus and acts as a transcription regulator that represses WT1-dependent transcription regulation, thereby translating changes in slit diaphragm structure into altered gene expression and a less differentiated phenotype. Involved in the organization of the basal body (By similarity). Involved in cilia growth and positioning (By similarity). Forms homodimers. Interacts with EIF4E, AGO1, AGO2, DCP2, DDX6, LATS1, LATS2, SAV1, EGLN2/PHD1 and EGLN3/PHD3. Interacts (via LIM domains) with VHL (By similarity). Interacts with CD2AP and WT1. Interacts (via LIM domains) with SNAI1 (via SNAG domain), SNAI2/SLUG (via SNAG domain) and SCRT1 (via SNAG domain). Interacts with ROR2. Following treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), forms a complex with MAPK8IP3 and dynein intermediate chain. Interacts with PRICKLE3 (By similarity). In adherent but isolated podocytes, targets to focal adhesions and then shifts to adherens junctions after cells make homotypic contacts. Following podocyte injury, caused by treatment with LPS, puromycin aminonucleoside, ultraviolet or hydrogen peroxide, translocates from sites of cell-cell contacts into the cytosol and nucleus. Maximal nuclear localization is achieved 6 hours after LPS treatment. Nuclear translocation requires dynein motor activity and intact microtubule network (By similarity). Returns to cell-cell contacts several hours after LPS stimulation. In the presence of ROR2, localizes to the plasma membrane. Expressed in kidney, lung, eye and ovary. In kidney, restricted to podocytes. From 9.5 to 11.5 dpc, expressed in the branchial arches, otic vesicle, limb buds, somites, craniofacial mesenchyme and tail buds. At 14.5 dpc, expressed in the developing tongue, nasal cavity, palate, adrenal gland, in the forebrain, dorsal root ganglia and in the somites. At 14.5 dpc, also detected in lung, rib cartilage, kidney and intestine (at protein level). In the kidney, expression peaks at 15 to 16 dpc and decreases thereafter, but persists in adulthood. Belongs to the zyxin/ajuba family.