14-3-3 proteins: Structure, function, and regulation

The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of conserved regulatory molecules expresse d in; all eukaryotic cells. A striking feature of the 14-3-3 proteins is th eir ability to bind a multitude of functionally diverse signaling proteins, including kinases, phosphatases, and transmembrane receptors. This plethor a of interacting proteins allows 14-3-3 to play important roles in a wide r ange of vital regulatory processes, such as mitogenic signal transduction, apoptotic cell death, and cell cycle control. In this review, we examine th e structural basis for 14-3-3-ligand interactions, proposed functions of 14 -3-3 in various signaling pathways, and emerging views of mechanisms that r egulate 14-3-3 actions.