EZR
EZR (ezrin, also known as VIL2) is a cytoplasmic peripheral membrane protein of the ERM family. It links the plasma membrane to the actin cytoskeleton and supports microvilli and membrane ruffles on the apical surface of epithelial cells. Browse Assay Genie's current range of EZR research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
EZR encodes ezrin, a cytoplasmic peripheral membrane protein that acts as an intermediate between the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. UniProt annotates it as probably involved in connecting major cytoskeletal structures to the plasma membrane. In epithelial cells it is required for the formation of microvilli and membrane ruffles at the apical pole. Together with PLEKHG6, it is also required for normal macropinocytosis.
Ezrin is a member of the ERM protein family and is classed by HGNC within the FERM domain containing group and the A-kinase anchoring proteins. It functions as a protein-tyrosine kinase substrate in microvilli. Its subcellular locations include the apical cell membrane, microvillus and ruffle membranes, the cell cortex and the cytoskeleton. The human EZR gene has mouse and rat orthologs, both named Ezr, and a pseudogene on chromosome 3 has been identified. Alternatively spliced variants have also been described.
Through its role at the cell surface, ezrin contributes to surface structure, adhesion, migration and organisation, and it has been implicated in various human cancers. The gene was previously named villin 2 (ezrin), and VIL2 remains a recognised alias. Researchers studying the EZR protein often examine its localisation at the cortex and in apical projections.
Ezrin connects major cytoskeletal structures to the plasma membrane, making it a central subject for studying actin organisation at the cell cortex.
Ezrin is required for microvilli and membrane ruffles on the apical pole of epithelial cells, supporting work on apical surface structure.
Ezrin plays a key role in cell surface adhesion, migration and organisation, relevant to studies of how cells move and attach.
Ezrin has been implicated in various human cancers, so EZR is studied in relation to tumour cell behaviour and surface organisation.
EZR encodes ezrin, which acts as an intermediate between the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. In epithelial cells it is required for microvilli and apical membrane ruffles, and with PLEKHG6 it is required for normal macropinocytosis. It is also a protein-tyrosine kinase substrate in microvilli.
Ezrin is also known by the alias VIL2, and the gene was previously named villin 2 (ezrin). HGNC lists it as EZR. It belongs to the ERM protein family, and alternatively spliced variants of the gene have been described.
Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Ezr. Ezrin has been implicated in various human cancers according to the NCBI Gene summary. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other ERM family members, FERM domain proteins and cytoskeletal linkers studied alongside ezrin.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P15311; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.