Calcium-regulated, actin-modulating protein that binds to the plus (or barbed) ends of actin monomers or filaments, preventing monomer exchange (end-blocking or capping) (PubMed:18640981, PubMed:20392036). Binds actin but does not nucleate actin polymerization, albeit slows down elongation by blocking the barbed ends (PubMed:18640981, PubMed:20392036). By promoting actin depolymerization, required for the elimination of presynaptic components downstream of the egl-1, ced-4 and ced-3 apoptotic pathway during larval development (PubMed:26074078). Monomer. Binds to actin monomers and filaments. Cleavage by caspase ced-3 activates its actin-severing function and is required for the elimination of presynaptic components during development. Belongs to the villin/gelsolin family.