Abstract

The 14-3-3 proteins constitute a family of conserved proteins present in all eukaryotic organisms so far investigated, including seven isotypes in human cells. They are involved in important cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell-cycle control, apoptosis, stress response and malignant transformation. More than one hundred different binding partners for these proteins have been reported yet. 14-3-3 proteins were the first signaling molecules to be identified as discrete phosphoserine/threonine binding modules, although cases of phosphorilation-independent interaction has been reported. Although the exact function of 14-3-3 proteins is still unknown, they are known to act as adaptor molecules to mediate protein-protein interactions and the subcellular localisation and to regulate enzymes activity. Though 14-3-3 proteins perform different functions for different ligands, general mechanisms of 14-3-3 action include changes in activity of bound ligands, altered association of bound ligands with other cellular components, and changes in intracellular localization of 14-3-3-bound cargo.

 Selected references

 This ELM has been assigned the following Gene Ontology (GO) terms for biological process, cellular component and molecular function.

Biological Process
cell proliferation	GO:0008283
cell cycle control	GO:0000074
cell cycle checkpoint	GO:0000075
dopamine biosynthesis from tyrosine	GO:0006585
heart development	GO:0007507
protein kinase cascade	GO:0007243
G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway	GO:0007186
induction of apoptosis by DNA damage	GO:0008630
mismatch repair	GO:0006298
apoptotic program	GO:0008632
Cellular Component
internal side of plasma membrane	GO:0009898
nucleus	GO:0005634
cytosol	GO:0005829
Molecular Function
protein domain specific binding	GO:0019904