14-3-3 protein zeta/delta (14-3-3ζ) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the YWHAZ gene on chromosome 8. The protein is a member of the 14-3-3 protein family and a central hub protein for many signal transduction pathways. 14-3-3ζ functions to protect the cell from environmental stresses, such as chemotherapy-induced death, anoikis, growth factor deprivation, and hypoxia. 14-3-3ζ plays a central role in cell proliferation and, by extension, tumor progression. The protein has been implicated in many cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and head and neck cancer, through pathways such as mTOR, Akt, and glucose receptor trafficking. It has been associated with chemoresistance and is a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. It stands to become a prognostic marker for breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and possibly gastric cancer in patients who might require more aggressive treatment. 14-3-3ζ has been implicated in pathogenic infections and neurodegenerative diseases, including Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, recent studies have shown the 14-3-3ζ plays a significant clinical role in the suppression of the RA symptoms in experimental animals.
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