The NF2 tumor suppressor gene product, merlin, mediates contact inhibition of growth through interactions with CD44

The neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2) gene encodes merlin, an ezrin-radixin-moesin-(ERM)-related protein that functions as a tumor suppressor. We found that merlin mediates contact inhibition of growth through signals from the extracellular matrix. At high cell density, merlin becomes hypo-phosphorylated an...

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Published inGenes & development Vol. 15; no. 9; pp. 968 - 980
Main Authors Morrison, H, Sherman, L S, Legg, J, Banine, F, Isacke, C, Haipek, CA, Gutmann, D H, Ponta, H, Herrlich, P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.05.2001
Subjects
CD44 antigen
ezrin
merlin
moesin
neurofibromatosis 2
NF2 protein
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Summary:The neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2) gene encodes merlin, an ezrin-radixin-moesin-(ERM)-related protein that functions as a tumor suppressor. We found that merlin mediates contact inhibition of growth through signals from the extracellular matrix. At high cell density, merlin becomes hypo-phosphorylated and inhibits cell growth in response to hyaluronate (HA), a mucopolysaccharide that surrounds cells. Merlin's growth-inhibitory activity depends on specific interaction with the cytoplasmic tail of CD44, a transmembrane HA receptor. At low cell density, merlin is phosphorylated, growth permissive, and exists in a complex with ezrin, moesin, and CD44. These data indicate that merlin and CD44 form a molecular switch that specifies cell growth arrest or proliferation.
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ISSN:0890-9369