Human 14-3-3 Protein Zeta/Delta (YWHAZ) Protein

Background

YWHAZ, a member of the 14-3-3 protein family, is a highly conserved adaptor protein that regulates signal transduction by binding to phosphorylated serine/threonine residues on target proteins. It functions as a molecular scaffold, facilitating protein-protein interactions involved in diverse cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and signal transduction. YWHAZ plays a role in regulating pathways such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TGF-β, influencing cell survival, proliferation, and migration. It is abundantly expressed in the brain and immune tissues, where it is critical for neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and stress responses. Dysregulation of YWHAZ is implicated in neurological disorders, cancer progression, and metabolic diseases due to its role in stabilizing oncogenic and signaling proteins. Knockout studies reveal defects in brain development, increased apoptosis, and impaired cell signaling, underscoring its essential role as a key regulator of cellular homeostasis and signaling pathways.