The 14-3-3 proteins comprise a family of highly conserved acidic proteins which play a role in both signal transduction and the cell cycle by binding to and regulating several different proteins. The family of proteins is present in particularly high concentrations in mammalian brain and may be involved in the regulation of neuronal activity. The 14-3-3 proteins exist as either homo- or heterodimers which interact via their N-terminal domains and are subject to phosphorylation by protein kinase C.
