Merlin Recombinant Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody [JE31-02]

Function

Merlin (also called Neurofibromin 2 or schwannomin) is a cytoskeletal protein. In humans, it is a tumor suppressor protein involved in neurofibromatosis type II. Sequence data reveal its similarity to the ERM protein family. The name "merlin" is an acronym for "Moesin-Ezrin-Radixin-Like Protein". Merlin is a membrane-cytoskeleton scaffolding protein, i.e. linking actin filaments to cell membrane or membrane glycoproteins. Human merlin is predominantly found in nervous tissue, but also in several other fetal tissues, and is mainly located in adherens junctions. Its tumor suppressor properties are probably associated with contact-mediated growth inhibition. Drosophila merlin is expressed in embryonic hindgut, salivary glands, and imaginal discs, and has apparently a slightly different role than in vertebrates. The phosphorylation of serine 518 is known to alter the functional state of merlin. The signaling pathway of merlin is proposed to include several salient cell growth controlling molecules, including eIF3c, CD44, protein kinase A, and p21 activated kinases. Mutations of the NF2 gene cause a human autosomal dominant disease called neurofibromatosis type 2. It is characterized by the development of tumors of the nervous system, most commonly of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (also called acoustic neuromas). NF2 belongs to the tumor suppressor group of genes.

Background References

1. Mota M et al. Merlin regulates signaling events at the nexus of development and cancer. Cell Commun Signal. 2020 Apr

2. Zhou Z et al. Merlin functions as a critical regulator in Staphylococcus aureus-induced osteomyelitis. J Cell Physiol. 2022 Jan

Subcellular Location

Cell membrane, Cell projection, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Membrane, Nucleus.

UNIPROT

SwissProt: P35240 Human

SwissProt: P46662 Mouse

SwissProt: Q63648 Rat

Synonyms