Naslov
Merlin, the NF2 Gene Product

Autori
Pećina-Šlaus, Nives

Izvornik
Pathology oncology research (1219-4956) 19 (2013), 3; 365-373

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
NF2 gene; Merlin; Schwannoma; Neurinoma

Sažetak
Merlin, the protein product of NF2 gene, is one of the most versatile tumor suppressors capable of integrating different mechanisms that regulate cell proliferation, motility, survival and signaling pathways underlying and governing those mechanisms. Merlin is considered a member of the band 4.1 families of cytoskeleton-associated proteins also called ERM family and acts as tumor suppressor. The main cause for transformation of Schwann cells into schwannomas is credited to the inactivation of the neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene and the consecutive loss of its protein merlin. Recent scientific advances improved our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms involving NF2 gene. The present review brings genetic properties of NF2 gene, molecular characteristics of merlin, summarizes mutational spectra and explains merlin's multifunctional roles regarding its involvement in neurofibromatosis associated tumorigenesis.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA