YWHAZ
YWHAZ (14-3-3 protein zeta/delta, also known as KCIP-1, 14-3-3-zeta and YWHAD) is an adapter protein of the 14-3-3 family. It binds phosphoserine and phosphothreonine motifs on partner proteins and modulates their activity across many signalling pathways. Browse Assay Genie's current range of YWHAZ research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
YWHAZ is an adapter protein implicated in the regulation of a large spectrum of both general and specialised signalling pathways. It binds a large number of partners, usually by recognising a phosphoserine or phosphothreonine motif, and binding generally modulates the activity of the partner. By binding phosphorylated TFEB, YWHAZ promotes cytosolic retention and inactivation of this transcription factor. It also induces ARHGEF7 activity on RAC1, promoting lamellipodia and membrane ruffle formation, and in neurons it regulates spine maturation through modulation of ARHGEF7 activity.
The YWHAZ gene encodes a member of the 14-3-3 family, which mediates signal transduction by binding phosphoserine-containing proteins. The HGNC places it in the group of 14-3-3 phospho-serine/phospho-threonine binding proteins. The protein is found in the cytoplasm and in melanosomes. This highly conserved family occurs in both plants and mammals, and the human protein is 99% identical to the mouse, rat and sheep orthologs; the mouse and rat genes are both named Ywhaz. Several transcript variants differ in the 5' UTR but encode the same protein.
The full gene name is tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta, and earlier names referred to the delta and zeta polypeptides, which explains the alias YWHAD. The encoded protein interacts with IRS1, which suggests a role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Researchers studying phosphorylation-dependent signalling, protein-protein interactions or cytoskeletal regulation may therefore work with the YWHAZ protein and gene.
YWHAZ binds phosphoserine and phosphothreonine motifs on many partners, making it a central adapter for studying how phosphorylation alters protein activity.
By binding phosphorylated TFEB, YWHAZ promotes its cytosolic retention and inactivation, linking it to control of this transcription factor.
YWHAZ induces ARHGEF7 activity on RAC1, driving lamellipodia and membrane ruffles, and regulates spine maturation in neurons.
The interaction of YWHAZ with IRS1 suggests a role in regulating insulin sensitivity.
YWHAZ is an adapter protein that binds many partners, usually through phosphoserine or phosphothreonine motifs, and generally modulates their activity. It retains phosphorylated TFEB in the cytosol, induces ARHGEF7 activity on RAC1, and regulates neuronal spine maturation.
YWHAZ is also called 14-3-3 protein zeta/delta, 14-3-3-zeta, KCIP-1 and YWHAD. Its full name is tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta, and older names refer to the delta and zeta polypeptides. Several transcript variants encode the same protein.
The 14-3-3 family is highly conserved and found in plants and mammals. Human YWHAZ is 99% identical to the mouse, rat and sheep orthologs, and the mouse and rat genes are named Ywhaz. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other 14-3-3 family members and binding partners of YWHAZ involved in phosphorylation-dependent signalling.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P63104; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.