NF2/Merlin mediates contact-dependent inhibition of EGFR mobility and internalization via cortical actomyosin.

ABSTRACT: The proliferation of normal cells is inhibited at confluence, but the molecular basis of this phenomenon, known as contact-dependent inhibition of proliferation, is unclear. We previously identified the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor Merlin as a critical mediator of contact-dependent inhibition of proliferation and specifically found that Merlin inhibits the internalization of, and signaling from, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in response to cell contact. Merlin is closely related to the membrane-cytoskeleton linking proteins Ezrin, Radixin, and Moesin, and localization of Merlin to the cortical cytoskeleton is required for contact-dependent regulation of EGFR. We show that Merlin and Ezrin are essential components of a mechanism whereby mechanical forces ass

SUBMITTER: Chiasson-MacKenzie C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4621825 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature