Required in Raf-dependent cell proliferation and photoreceptor differentiation during eye development (PubMed:9159395). Acts upstream of Raf and downstream of Ras, and is essential for viability (PubMed:9159395). Acts as a negative regulator of the slo calcium channel via its interaction with slo-binding protein slob (PubMed:10230800). Inhibits yki activity by restricting its nuclear localization (PubMed:19900439). Binds to and promotes the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase Pi3K68D which converts phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate and promotes maturation of early endosomes (PubMed:27015288). Homodimer; homodimerization is not essential for modulating the activity of Slo (PubMed:12529354). Interacts with phosphorylated Slob; the interaction with Slob mediates an indirect interaction with Slo (PubMed:10230800). Interacts with phosphorylated yki (PubMed:18256197, PubMed:19900439). Interacts with hemo; this represses 14-3-3zeta activity which prevents the 14-3-3zeta-mediated activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase Pi3K68D. This, in turn, inhibits the Pi3K68D-mediated conversion of phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate and prevents progression of early endosomes through the maturation process which regulates subsequent steps of phagocytic processing (PubMed:27015288). Interacts with REPTOR (when phosphorylated), this interaction may assist the cytoplasmic retention of REPTOR (PubMed:25920570). Predominantly expressed in the ventral nerve cord of the embryo, and in the neural tissues of the head. Also found in the region posterior to the morphogenetic furrow of the eye imaginal disk where cells differentiate as photoreceptors. Expressed throughout all stages of embryonic and larval development. Belongs to the 14-3-3 family.