YWHAZ belongs to the 14-3-3 family of proteins which mediate signal transduction by binding to phosphoserine-containing proteins. This highly conserved protein family is found in both plants and mammals, and this protein is 99% identical to the mouse, rat and sheep orthologs. The encoded protein interacts with IRS1 protein, suggesting a role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Two transcript variants differing in the 5' UTR, but encoding the same protein, have been identified for the gene. Both variants encode the same protein, however, they are differentially expressed in hematopoietic cells.