New function for NF1 tumor suppressor

The expression and subcellular localization of neurofibromatosis type 1 tumor suppressor was studied in keratinocytes induced to differentiate by increased Ca2+ concentration of the culture medium. Differentiating keratinocytes became intensely immunoreactive for neurofibromatosis type 1 protein, which was apparently associated with cellular fibrils. Double immunolabeling with antibodies to cytokeratin 14 and neurofibromatosis type 1 protein suggested an association of intermediate type cytoskeleton and neurofibromatosis type 1 protein. The presence of neurofibromatosis type 1 protein in cell preparations treated with cytoskeletal buffer indicated a high affinity interaction between intermediate filaments and neurofibromatosis type 1 protein. Further studies utilizing double immunolabelings revealed that the intense neurofibromatosis type 1 tumor suppressor signal on intermediate filaments was temporally limited to the period in keratinocyte differentiation in which the formation of desmosomes takes place. Keratinocytes were also cultured from nine patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis and were studied with respect to cell morphology, and association of neurofibromatosis type 1 protein with intermediate cytoskeleton. The results showed that keratinocytes cultured from patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 displayed a highly variable cell size and morphology compared to controls. The latter findings represent predicted alterations in a situation where cytoskeletal organization is disturbed. Furthermore, differentiating neurofibromatosis type 1 keratinocytes were characterized by a reduced number of cytokeratin bundles that were decorated neurofibromatosis type 1 protein. The results of this study suggest that neurofibromatosis type 1 tumor suppressor exerts its effects in part by controlling organization of cytoskeleton during the formation of cellular contacts.