14-3-3σ or stratifin is a protein that is strongly induced by gamma irradiation and other DNA-damaging agents. The induction of 14-3-3σ is mediated by a p53 responsive element. Exogenous introduction of 14-3-3σ into cycling cells results in a G2 cell cycle arrest. Knockout of 14-3-3σ in cells showed that the cells are unable to maintain cell cycle arrest after DNA damage. The 14-3-3σ -/- cells die as they enter mitosis. This process is associated with a failure of the 14-3-3σ-deficient cells to sequester the proteins that initiate mitosis and prevent them from entering the nucleus. Thus, 14-3-3σ plays an important role in maintaining the G2 checkpoint in cells and preventing mitotic death.