The function of WAS (WASP actin nucleation promoting factor, ENSG00000015285) is as follows. Effector protein for Rho-type GTPases that regulates actin filament reorganization via its interaction with the Arp2/3 complex (PubMed:12235133, PubMed:12769847, PubMed:16275905). Important for efficient actin polymerization (PubMed:12235133, PubMed:16275905, PubMed:8625410). Possible regulator of lymphocyte and platelet function (PubMed:9405671). Mediates actin filament reorganization and the formation of actin pedestals upon infection by pathogenic bacteria (PubMed:18650809). In addition to its role in the cytoplasmic cytoskeleton, also promotes actin polymerization in the nucleus, thereby regulating gene transcription and repair of damaged DNA (PubMed:20574068). Promotes homologous recombination (HR) repair in response to DNA damage by promoting nuclear actin polymerization, leading to drive motility of double-strand breaks (DSBs) (PubMed:29925947). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:12235133, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12769847, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16275905, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18650809, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20574068, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29925947, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8625410, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9405671}.