14–3-3 zeta homologoues genes: possible impact on Parkinson's disease?

A detailed mutation search in 303 sporadic and familial Parkinson's patients by Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism screening and sequence analysis revealed two missense mutations in 14–3-3 zeta homologous genes. 14–3-3 proteins, representing a family of ubiquitous cytoplasmic chaperones, are involved in cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell cycle control, stress response and apoptosis. They are known to act as adaptor molecules stimulating protein-protein interaction, regulate the subcellular localisation of proteins and activate or inhibit enzymes. 14–3-3 proteins share physical and function…