Merlin

Acronym for "Moesin-Ezrin-Radixin like Protein", also called Schwannomin. It is a tumour suppressor protein consisting of 595 amino acids, which belongs to the ERM (Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin) protein family. Merlin serves as a binding partner for cytoskeletal and transmembrane adhesion proteins and is mainly found in human nervous tissue. Mutations in the encoding gene (NF-2 gene or Schwannomin gene) lead to an influence on cell migration and cell shape or a loss of cell contact inhibition by inhibition of small proteins such as Rac and Ras. An autosomal dominant inherited mutation of the NF-2 gene is found in neurofibromatosis type 2. In this mutation, both alleles are mutated so that, according to the Knudson hypothesis, tumour development may occur.

Merlin is important as a component of the plasma membrane, in cell-cell interactions and in signalling pathways.

1. Mauer S et al (2016) Lumbar "ancient" schwannoma. Nude Dermatol 42: 139-144