LOSS OF TAZ AFTER YAP DELETION SEVERELY IMPAIRS FOREGUT DEVELOPMENT AND WORSENS CHOLESTATIC HEPATOCELLULAR INJURY
<div><p><b>Background:</p> </b><p>We previously showed that loss of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) in early liver development (YAP<sup>KO</sup>) leads to an Alagille syndrome-like phenotype, with failure of intrahepatic bile duct development, severe cholestasis, and chronic hepatocyte adaptations to reduce liver injury. TAZ, a paralog of YAP, was significantly upregulated in YAP<sup>KO</sup> hepatocytes and interacted with TEAD transcription factors, suggesting possible compensatory activity.</p>