WW Domain Containing Transcription Regulator Protein 1 (WWTR1)

WWTR1 has a putative 14-3-3 protein-binding motif in its N terminus, a central WW domain, and a putative 2-stranded coiled-coil and a PDZ-binding motif in its C terminus. TAZ shares 91% sequence identity with the mouse Taz protein and 45% identity with YAP. Northern blot analysis revealed highest expression of a 6-kb transcript in kidney, followed by heart, placenta, and lung. Expression was detected in all tissues tested except thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues showed a 5.5-kb transcript expressed at highest levels in kidney, lung, liver, and heart; a 2.2-kb transcript was detected in testis. Western blot analysis revealed expression of TAZ in several epithelial and fibroblast cell lines, but not in Jurkat T cells.