ERM proteins and NF2 tumor suppressor: the Yin and Yang of cortical actin organization and cell growth signaling

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2002 Feb;14(1):104-9. doi: 10.1016/s0955-0674(01)00300-3.

Abstract

The ERM (ezrin, radixin and moesin) family of proteins are linkers that tether actin microfilaments to the plasma membrane. Merlin, the NF2 tumor suppressor gene product, is highly homologous to ERM proteins. In ERM proteins and merlin, interdomain binding promotes auto-inhibition and homo-oligomerization or hetero-oligomerization. Recent studies have revealed that ERM proteins transduce growth signals, and have shed new light on how merlin links cell growth to the cytoskeleton.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Division
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Microfilament Proteins / physiology*
  • Microvilli / ultrastructure
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neurofibromin 2 / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Actins
  • Blood Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Neurofibromin 2
  • Phosphoproteins
  • ezrin
  • moesin
  • radixin