The LATS1 gene contains 8 exons, ranging in size from 106 bp to 1513 bp. The mRNA transcript spans 4756 bp (NM_004690).

An alternatively spiced variant was identified in vertebrate retina and testis. This smaller variant has deletions of exon 6, 7, and 8 (NM_001270519). Furthermore, a non-coding third transcript variant that is comprised of alternate 5 and internal exons has recently been proposed to exist (NR_073033). In this transcript, an upstream open reading frame (ORF) is predicted to interfere with translation of the longer ORF. The functional significance of these splice variants remains unclear.

LATS1 is a highly conserved Ser/Thr kinase that belongs to the AGC (Protein kinase A/G/C) family of protein kinases. Within the C-terminal kinase domain lie two conserved residues, Ser909 and Thr1079, which are phosphorylated upon activation. The N-terminus of LATS1 contains two PPxY motifs, which bind to WW-domain transcriptional co-activators TAZ and YAP or E3 ubiquitin ligases ITCH, WWP1, and NEDD4 as well as a protein binding domain (PBD) that has been shown to bind to MOB1 and cytoskeletal proteins LIMK1 and Zyxin. In addition, an ubiquitin binding domain (UBA) and a proline-rich region (P-stretch) have been identified in the N-terminal region of LATS1, although the functional significance of these domains has not yet been determined.

LATS1 is ubiquitously expressed.

LATS1 is primarily localized within the cytoplasm, however, LATS1 possesses functions that require its translocation to the nucleus. The mechanism of translocation is not yet understood.

As a tumor suppressor, LATS1 functions as a key regulator of cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell migration. As cell cycle regulator, LATS1 is able to modulate multiple aspects of the cell cycle, including G2/M arrest, mitotic exit, activation of the G1 tetraploidy checkpoint, and regulation of cytokinesis. LATS1 also promotes apoptosis by inducing expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX, caspase 3 and tumor suppressor p53. Finally, loss of LATS1 has been shown to enhance the rate of cell migration.
HIPPO Signaling Pathway LATS1 is a key player in the conserved Hippo signaling pathway. Core components of this pathway include the adaptor proteins Sav1 and MOB1, which aid in bringing LATS in contact with the kinase MST1/2. MST1/2 can then phosphorylate and activate LATS1. Upstream core components of the Hippo pathway lay FERM domain proteins Willin/FRMD6 and Merlin/NF2, as well as a protocadherin FAT4 and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and many other regulators (see Figure). Downstream of LATS1 lay two transcriptional co-activators, YAP and TAZ, which are phosphorylated and inhibited by LATS1, thereby sequestering them in the cytoplasm. Finally, YAP and TAZ have been shown to act through the TEAD/TEF family of transcription factors to modulate the expression of a variety of genes (See Figure). Functionally, the Hippo pathway has been implicated in cell proliferation, apoptosis, the epithelial mesenchymal transition, cell migration, and stem cell differentiation and renewal.

The LATS1 kinase domain is conserved across species. Human homologs include LATS2 and the nuclear Dbf2-related kinases, NDR1 and NDR2.

The Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC), lists 491 unique mutations in the LATS1 gene. In the COSMIC Cell Lines Project, there are 135 unique mutations in the LATS1 gene listed.