The 14-3-3 proteins were initially
discovered in 1967 by Moore and Perez during an extensive study of
bovine brain proteins. The 14-3-3 proteins were given numerical
designations based on column fractionation and electrophoretic
mobility. They are currently designated as Greek letters. The 14-3-3s
are a family of acidic, soluble proteins with a native size of 30 kDa.
Initially this protein family was thought to be limited to mammalian
nervous tissue. However, 14-3-3s are currently considered to be
ubiquitous. Their presence has been identified in virtually every
eukaryotic organism and tissue.