This gene encodes an anti-apoptotic protein that has been shown to down-regulate the enzyme activities of caspase 2, caspase 8 and tumor protein p53. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Arc has been shown to localize to the cytoskeleton of neuronal cells and appears to colocalize with F-Actin, although it may associate with an Actin-associated protein rather than directly with F-Actin. It has been shown that cocaine-stimulated neuronal activity results in increased Arc mRNA levels in striatum.