The limb deformity (ld) locus influences normal limb development and gives rise to alternative mRNAs that can translate into a family of protein products known as formins. Formins play a crucial role in cytoskeletal reorganization by influencing actin filament assembly. The temporal genetic hierarchy influencing normal limb development can deregulate and mediate mammalian developmental syndromes. FHOD1 induces the formation of and associates with bundled actin stress fibers in response to the activity of the Rho-ROCK cascade. It influences several cellular activities including cell migration, cytoskeletal arrangement, signal transduction and gene expression.