TAZ maps to NC_000003.12, in the region between 149235022 to 149454501 and spans 220 kilobases. TAZ has 7 exons, ranging in size from 112 bp to 3754 bp.

The mRNA transcript spans 5135 bp with 1202 bp open reading frame.

TAZ is a downstream transcriptional coactivator in the Hippo pathway (Kanai et al., 2000; Lei et al., 2008; Hong and Guan, 2012). TAZ has one WW domain which allows its interaction with PPxY motif-containing proteins such as LATS kinases in the Hippo pathway as well as other transcription factors (TFs). Its N-termini contains a Tead-binding (TB) domain, through which TAZ can bind to TEAD, which is a well-known TF involved in cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis. In its C-termini, there is a Transcriptional Activation (TA) domain which contains a Gln-rich region (amino acid (aa.) 194-241) and Coiled-coil region (aa. 225-259). From 394 to aa. 400 of TAZ, there is a PDZ-binding domain, which has been found important for transcriptional coactivating function of TAZ (Wang et al., 2009; Liu et al., 2011).

TAZ is expressed in various tissues, and high expression of TAZ has been found in thyroid, kidney, heart, placenta and lung.

TAZ localizes in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Normally, in the nucleus, TAZ can possess its transcription-activating function and help initiate target genes expressions through binding with related transcriptional factors. And the localization of TAZ can be regulated by cell-cell contact. Once cells get confluent (high cell-cell contact), the Hippo pathway will be activated (Zhao et al., 2011). As a result, TAZ will be phosphorylated on S89, initiating its binding with 14-3-3 (Lei et al., 2008; Zhao et al., 2008), which will anchor TAZ in the cytoplasm. Besides, the interaction with some proteins, such as AMOT and ZO-1, can also localize TAZ to cell membrane (Chan et al., 2011; Remue et al., 2010).

TAZ functions as an oncogene. Over-expression of TAZ induces increased cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration and transformation (Chan et al., 2009; Lai et al., 2011). In addition, enhanced levels of TAZ causes drug resistance by activating CTGF and Cyr61 (Lai et al., 2011).
TAZ is also involved in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. TAZ can activate TF RUNX2 to induce osteoblast differentiation, while TAZ binds and inhibits PPARG TF, which further blocks adipocyte differentiation. Besides, TAZ also regulates myoblast differentiation by enhancing TF MyoD-dependent myogenic gene expression (Hong et al., 2005; Jung et al., 2009; Cho HH et al., 2010).
TAZ relates to tissue homeostasis and development as well. TAZ knockout mice develop Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and emphysema, suggesting an important role of TAZ in renal and lung development (Liu et al., 2011).
TAZ also plays a role in mechanotransduction. Extracellular matrix stiffness or confined adhesiveness can cause TAZ retention in nuclear, which, therefore contributes to cell proliferation, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation as well as cancer malignant progression (Dupont et al., 2011).

TAZ gene is conserved across species. Homologous proteins have been found in chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse, rate, chicken and zebrafish.

TAZ has a missense mutation (F299V), which was detected at 7% and 10% in primary mammary tumor and xenograft respectively, as well as 28% mutant allele frequency in metastatic breast cancers (Ding et al., 2010).