TAZ is involved in transcriptional complexes regulating smooth muscle cell differentiation.

TGFβ signaling plays an important role in the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), yet the mechanism remains largely unknown. The study by Pagiatakis et al. identifies the transcriptional coactivator TAZ as a mediator of TGFβ signaling in VSMC-specific transcription. TAZ is involved in the formation of stable ternary complexes of SRF/Myocardin on CArG elements that are required for the transcription of VSMC structural genes.