biostudies-literatureTabrizi MEAAston University711https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10000480biostudies-literatureUnknown12(5)The protein ezrin has been shown to enhance cancer cell motility and invasion leading to malignant behaviours in solid tumours, but a similar regulatory function in the early physiological reproduction state is, however, much less clear. We speculated that ezrin may play a key role in promoting first-trimester extravillous trophoblast (EVT) migration/invasion. Ezrin, as well as its Thr567 phosphorylation, were found in all trophoblasts studied, whether primary cells or lines. Interestingly, the proteins were seen in a distinct cellular localisation in long, extended protrusions in specific regions of cells. Loss-of-function experiments were carried out in EVT HTR8/SVneo and Swan71, as well as primary cells, using either ezrin siRNAs or the phosphorylation Thr567 inhibitor NSC668394, resultCellsEzrin and Its Phosphorylated Thr567 Form Are Key Regulators of Human Extravillous Trophoblast Motility and Invasion.PMC10000480Research Group and Biomedical Sciences Research funding schemes at Aston University and a Life and Health Sciences PhD studentship to M.E.A.T.Gross SRGupta JKTabrizi MEAfalseEzrin and Its Phosphorylated Thr567 Form Are Key Regulators of Human Extravillous Trophoblast Motility and Invasion.The protein ezrin has been shown to enhance cancer cell motility and invasion leading to malignant behaviours in solid tumours, but a similar regulatory function in the early physiological reproduction state is, however, much less clear. We speculated that ezrin may play a key role in promoting first-trimester extravillous trophoblast (EVT) migration/invasion. Ezrin, as well as its Thr567 phosphorylation, were found in all trophoblasts studied, whether primary cells or lines. Interestingly, the proteins were seen in a distinct cellular localisation in long, extended protrusions in specific regions of cells. Loss-of-function experiments were carried out in EVT HTR8/SVneo and Swan71, as well as primary cells, using either ezrin siRNAs or the phosphorylation Thr567 inhibitor NSC668394, result2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-26T14:08:18.973Z2025-02-19T02:42:45.013ZS-EPMC100004803689984710.3390/cells12050711