The merlin tumor suppressor localizes preferentially in membrane ruffles.

摘要: Merlin is a tumor suppressor whose inactivation underlies the familial schwannomas and meningiomas of neurofibromatosis 2 their sporadic counterparts. It bears striking similarity to ERM proteins, ezrin, radixin moesin, members protein 4.1 superfamily that link proteins in cytoskeleton plasma membrane. We have generated polyclonal monoclonal antibodies detect merlin as an approximately 66 kD many different cell types. Using indirect immunofluorescence we for first time visualized endogenous localized it motile regions, such leading or ruffling edges, human fibroblast meningioma cells. co-localizes with F-actin these regions but not associated stress fibers. does localize same structures either ezrin moesin cells, suggesting function distinct from ERMs. Thus, its participation may be intimately involved control proliferation Schwann cells meningeal