The Yes-associated protein, otherwise known as YAP, is a 14-3-3-bindingmolecule that was originally recognized by virtue of its ability to bind to theSH3 domain of Yes. The binding of YAP to 14-3-3 requires the phosphorylationof a homologous serine residue (Ser 112) in the YAP 14-3-3-binding motif. Thehighly conserved and ubiquitously expressed 14-3-3 proteins regulate differentiation,cell cycle progression and apoptosis by binding intracellular phosphoproteinsinvolved in signal transduction. YAP may link events at the plasmamembrane and cytoskeleton to inhibition of transcription in the nucleus in amanner regulated by 14-3-3 proteins. YAP shares homology with the WWdomain of TAZ, transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif, whichfunctions as a transcriptional co-activator by binding to the PPXY motif presentin transcription factors. YAP is expressed at high levels in the lung, placenta,prostate, ovary and testis.
