NF2
NF2, also known as merlin, schwannomin-associated gene products ACN, SCH, BANF and merlin-1, encodes an ERM-like tumour suppressor that links the cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. It helps regulate contact-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and Hippo signalling. Browse Assay Genie's current range of NF2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
NF2 encodes merlin, a protein similar to members of the ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) family, which link cytoskeletal components with proteins in the cell membrane. Merlin is involved in regulating contact-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and functions in cell-cell adhesion and transmembrane signalling. It has been shown to interact with cell-surface proteins, proteins involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and proteins that regulate ion transport, and it may act as a membrane-stabilising protein.
UniProt describes merlin as a probable regulator of the Hippo/SWH (Sav/Wts/Hpo) signalling pathway, which restricts proliferation and promotes apoptosis. Together with WWC1, it can synergistically induce phosphorylation of LATS1 and LATS2. Merlin may also inhibit PI3 kinase by binding to AGAP2 and impairing its stimulating activity, and it suppresses cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by inhibiting the CUL4A-RBX1-DDB1-VprBP/DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex. The protein is found in filopodium and ruffle membranes, the nucleus, the perinuclear cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granules and the cytoskeleton.
HGNC places the NF2 gene in the FERM domain containing and A-kinase anchoring protein groups. Earlier names were neurofibromin 2 (bilateral acoustic neuroma) and neurofibromin 2 (merlin). Mutations in the gene are associated with neurofibromatosis type II, characterised by nervous system and skin tumours and ocular abnormalities, and disruption of merlin function has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Nf2.
Merlin suppresses cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, and its disrupted function has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis.
Merlin is a probable regulator of Hippo signalling and works with WWC1 to induce LATS1 and LATS2 phosphorylation.
Mutations in NF2 are associated with neurofibromatosis type II, marked by nervous system and skin tumours and ocular abnormalities.
As an ERM-like protein, merlin links the cytoskeleton to the membrane and contributes to cell-cell adhesion and contact-dependent growth inhibition.
NF2 encodes merlin, which regulates contact-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and functions in cell-cell adhesion and transmembrane signalling. It is a probable regulator of Hippo signalling, may inhibit PI3 kinase through AGAP2, and suppresses proliferation by inhibiting the CUL4A-RBX1-DDB1-VprBP/DCAF1 E3 ligase complex.
The protein is called merlin, with aliases ACN, SCH, BANF and merlin-1. The HGNC name is NF2, moesin-ezrin-radixin like (MERLIN) tumour suppressor. Previous names were neurofibromin 2 (bilateral acoustic neuroma) and neurofibromin 2 (merlin). Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Mutations in NF2 are associated with neurofibromatosis type II, which features nervous system and skin tumours and ocular abnormalities. Disrupted merlin function has also been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Nf2.
Other neurofibromatosis-related proteins and NF-prefixed signalling and transcription regulators with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P35240; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.