Encodes a ubiquitously expressed villin-like protein, whose mRNA may be alternatively processed. Villin belongs to a superfamily of actin binding proteins called the villin/gelsolin family. Animal villins are involved in actin binding. VLN1 protein co-localizes with actin filaments in several assays. VLN1 binds and bundles F-actin in a calcium-independent manner. It does not nucleate, cap or sever actin filaments and it stabilizes actin filaments, protecting them from ADF-mediated depolymerization.