14-3-3 eta

The 14.3.3 family of proteins were originally discovered as prominent protein spots on 2 dimensional gels. They are a family of 28-33kDa proteins which are often major proteins of the cytoplasm (1). They function as binding partners for phosphoserine and phosphthreonine sites in other proteins, though they have other binding partners which are not dependent on phosphorylation. These binding interactions are important in the regulation of molecules such as the signaling kinases in the MAP kinase pathway c-Raf and b-Raf, the proapoptotic molecules Bad and Bax and the cell cycle regulator Cdc25.

The 14.3.3 eta protein accumulates in the CSF of patients suffering from Creutzfeld Jacob Disease, and can be used for the diagnosis of this disease. Furthermore, this protein binds α-synuclein in the Lewy bodies of Parkinson's disease and has been linked to early-onset schizophrenia. The HGNC name for this protein is YWHAH.