These findings together with the known signal transduction modulator function of 14-3-3 family members suggests that our observed new regulatory circuit of Smad4 dependent KRT23 up-regulation which in turn modulates the cytoplasmic sequestration of 14-3-3 is a previously unknown facet of the tumor suppressive response we observed upon Smad4 re-expression in our colon cancer model. The gene discussed is SMAD4; the disease is malignant colon neoplasm.