Recombinant Human Merlin (NF2)

Function

Probable regulator of the Hippo/SWH (Sav/Wts/Hpo) signaling pathway, a signaling pathway that plays a pivotal role in tumor suppression by restricting proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Along with WWC1 can synergistically induce the phosphorylation of LATS1 and LATS2 and can probably function in the regulation of the Hippo/SWH (Sav/Wts/Hpo) signaling pathway. May act as a membrane stabilizing protein. May inhibit PI3 kinase by binding to AGAP2 and impairing its stimulating activity. Suppresses cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by inhibiting the CUL4A-RBX1-DDB1-VprBP/DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex

Subcellular Location

Nucleus; Cell projection, filopodium membrane (Peripheral membrane protein); Cell projection, ruffle membrane (Peripheral membrane protein); Cytoplasm, perinuclear region; Cytoplasmic granule; Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton

Disease Association

Schwannomatosis, vestibular (SWNV) : An autosomal dominant neoplasia syndrome characterized by the development of multiple benign nerve sheath tumors called schwannomas, particularly affecting the vestibular nerve. Affected individuals usually present with bilateral vestibular schwannomas but can have schwannomas on other cranial, spinal, and peripheral/cutaneous nerves. Meningiomas are common, whereas 20 to 35% of affected individuals develop intramedullary spinal cord tumors called ependymomas. The condition is also characterized by several ophthalmic features such as lenticular opacities, retinal hamartoma, epiretinal membranes. [The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry] | Mesothelioma, malignant (MESOM) : An aggressive neoplasm of the serosal lining of the chest. It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. [The disease may be caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry]

Tissue Specificity

Widely expressed. Isoform 1 and isoform 3 are predominant. Isoform 4, isoform 5 and isoform 6 are expressed moderately. Isoform 8 is found at low frequency. Isoform 7, isoform 9 and isoform 10 are not expressed in adult tissues, with the exception of adult retina expressing isoform 10. Isoform 9 is faintly expressed in fetal brain, heart, lung, skeletal muscle and spleen. Fetal thymus expresses isoforms 1, 7, 9 and 10 at similar levels

Subunit

Interacts with NHERF1, HGS and AGAP2. Interacts with LAYN (By similarity). Interacts with SGSM3. Interacts (via FERM domain) with MPP1. Interacts with WWC1. Interacts with the CUL4A-RBX1-DDB1-VprBP/DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex. The unphosphorylated form interacts (via FERM domain) with VPRBP/DCAF1. Interacts (via FERM domain) with NOP53; the interaction is direct (PubMed:21167305). Interacts with SCHIP1; the interaction is direct (PubMed:10669747)

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