This gene encodes a protein with multiple PDZ domains. PDZ domains mediate protein-protein interactions, and proteins with multiple PDZ domains often organize multimeric complexes at the plasma membrane. This protein localizes to tight junctions and to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. A similar protein in Drosophila is a scaffolding protein which tethers several members of a multimeric signaling complex in photoreceptors. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Storrs, Silverstein: "PATJ, a tight junction-associated PDZ protein, is a novel degradation target of high-risk human papillomavirus E6 and the alternatively spliced isoform 18 E6." in: Journal of virology, Vol. 81, Issue 8, pp. 4080-90, (2007) (PubMed).
Philipp, Flockerzi: "Molecular characterization of a novel human PDZ domain protein with homology to INAD from Drosophila melanogaster." in: FEBS letters, Vol. 413, Issue 2, pp. 243-8, (1997) (PubMed).