The NF2 Tumor Suppressor Gene Product, Merlin, Mediates Contact Inhibition of Growth Through Interactions with CD44

Overview

Journal Genes Dev

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2001 Apr 24

PMID 11316791

Citations 207

Authors

H Morrison

L S SHERMAN

J Legg

F Banine

C Isacke

C A Haipek

D H Gutmann

H Ponta

P Herrlich

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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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