Involved in the establishment of cell polarity in mammalian epithelial cells (, ). Regulates the morphogenesis of tight junctions (, ). Involved in promoting phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of transcriptional coactivators YAP1 and WWTR1/TAZ which leads to suppression of TGFB1-dependent transcription of target genes such as CCN2/CTGF, SERPINE1/PAI1, SNAI1/SNAIL1 and SMAD7 (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Apical cell membrane, Cell junction, Tight junction
Localizes primarily to the apical membrane with a small fraction in the upper part of tight junctions of epithelial cells.
Preferentially expressed in epithelial tissues . Expressed at high levels in lung, kidney, and colon (, ). Expressed at high levels in retina, colon and mammary glands . Moderately expressed in liver, spleen, pancreas and prostate . Moderately to weakly expressed in the placenta (, ). Weakly expressed in skeletal muscle and small intestine .