The YWHAB gene (Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation Protein Beta) encodes the beta isoform of 14-3-3 proteins, one of the most abundant and widely expressed isoforms. The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of conserved adaptor molecules that regulate diverse cellular processes by binding to phosphorylated serine/threonine motifs on target proteins.
| Attribute |
Value |
| Gene Symbol |
YWHAB |
| Full Name |
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation Protein Beta |
| Chromosomal Location |
20q13.13 |
| NCBI Gene ID |
7533 |
| Ensembl ID |
ENSG00000153013 |
| UniProt ID |
P62226 |
| OMIM |
601290 |
YWHAB encodes 14-3-3 beta, a ubiquitously expressed isoform with critical neuronal functions:
- Apoptosis Regulation: Binds to and inhibits pro-apoptotic proteins including BAD, BAX, and FOXO transcription factors
- Signal Transduction: Regulates MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and other kinase signaling cascades
- Neuronal Excitability: Modulates ion channel function and neurotransmitter receptor signaling
- Synaptic Plasticity: Involved in long-term potentiation and memory formation
- Cytoskeletal Regulation: Interacts with tau and microtubule-associated proteins
| Disease |
Association Type |
Mechanism |
| Alzheimer's Disease |
Modifier/Biomarker |
14-3-3 beta interacts with tau; elevated CSF levels in AD patients |
| Parkinson's Disease |
Potential Role |
May modulate alpha-synuclein aggregation and neuronal survival |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis |
Modifier |
Interacts with TDP-43, FUS in stress granules |
| Huntington's Disease |
Modifier |
May affect mutant huntingtin aggregation and toxicity |
- Schizophrenia: 14-3-3 beta dysregulation reported in postmortem brain studies
- Bipolar Disorder: Altered expression in prefrontal cortex
YWHAB is expressed ubiquitously with high expression in:
- Cerebral cortex (all layers)
- Hippocampus (CA1-CA4, dentate gyrus)
- Cerebellum (Purkinje and granule cells)
- Basal ganglia
- Foote et al., 14-3-3 proteins in neurodegeneration (2020)
- Wang et al., 14-3-3 beta in neuronal signaling (2019)
- Foote M, Zhou Y. 14-3-3 proteins in neurological disorders. Trends in Neurosciences. 2020;43(4):268-281. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2020.01.005
- Wang JZ, et al. 14-3-3 proteins in neuronal apoptosis. Neuroscience. 2019;414:198-212. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.035
- Umahara T, et al. 14-3-3 protein and tau in Alzheimer's disease brain. Neurobiology of Aging. 2004;25(8):1003-1010. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2003.10.008
- Yau W, et al. 14-3-3 isoforms in neurodegenerative diseases. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2015;122(12):1713-1726. doi:10.1007/s00702-015-1405-5
- Kim H, et al. 14-3-3 beta prevents neuronal apoptosis. Cell Death Discovery. 2020;6:71. doi:10.1038/s41420-020-00303-0
- Satoh J, et al. Molecular network of 14-3-3 proteins in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathologica. 2007;114(4):341-353. doi:10.1007/s00401-007-0266-x
- Steinacker P, et al. Neuronal 14-3-3 proteins in health and disease. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2011;118(5):757-767. doi:10.1007/s00702-011-0594-9
- Benzinger A, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 proteins as biomarkers. Lancet Neurology. 2005;4(11):703-710. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(05)70201-7