The Importance of 14-3-3 Proteins in Colorectal Cancer Regulation: Mechanisms of Function and Clinical Opportunities.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer and one of the deadliest cancers, with a significant global disease burden. Despite progress in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC, the rate of mortality is still high. Identifying the molecular mechanisms contributing to CRC development and progression creates opportunities to provide better management for CRC. 14-3-3 proteins are extremely conserved phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding proteins found in all eukaryotic cells. These proteins regulate a number of biological processes in the cells by binding to their client proteins. Thereby, they can contribute to the regulation of cell cycle progression, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, highlighting their role in cancer development, progression, and treatment. The present article is aimed at reviewing the 14-3-3 proteins and their biological function, as well as their contribution to cancer regulation. In addition, it will collect previously performed studies investigating the role of 14-3-3 proteins in CRC pathogenesis, emphasizing their potential for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes, offering insights into novel intervention strategies and personalized medicine approaches for CRC.