CAPZB is a member of the F-actin capping protein family. This gene encodes the beta subunit of the barbed-end actin binding protein. The protein regulates growth of the actin filament by capping the barbed end of growing actin filaments. CapZβ functions to cap actin filaments at barbed (+) ends, thus controlling the rate of G-actin polymerization to F-actin and corresponding filament length. CapZ works in concert with tropomodulin, which caps actin at pointed ends. In muscle, the interaction of CapZ with actin is critical during myofibrilogenesis, as administration of a CapZ monoclonal antibody or expression of CapZ mutant protein disrupts actin filament formation and assembly of myofibrils. Isoforms of the CapZβ (β1 and β2) have distinct functions, as CapZβ1 anchors actin at Z-discs and CapZβ2 at intercalated discs. Overexpression of CapZβ2 (and concomitant down-regulation of CapZβ1) in mice resulted in a diseased phenotype with stunted growth, irregular gait, labored breathing and juvenile lethality. Ultrastructural measurements showed severely disrupted myofibrillar architecture. A function of CapZβ in transducing protein kinase C signaling in cardiac myocytes was illuminated by a study in skinned cardiac fibers which demonstrated that partial, transgenic reduction of CapZβ attenuated the functional effect of protein kinase C on contraction and disturbed normal PKC isoform translocation patterns following phenylephrine or endothelin-1 treatment.