NF2/Merlin suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of FAM83A in Cervical Cancer
04:20

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of FAM83A in Cervical Cancer

Published on: February 9, 2024

1.4K

Xingli Wu1, Fajiang Mao2, Ning Li2

  • 1Department of Oncology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai,200071,China.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|October 6, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) protein Merlin, a tumor suppressor, is reduced in colorectal cancer. Restoring Merlin expression inhibits cancer cell proliferation and increases apoptosis, suggesting a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Merlin (Moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein), encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene, is a known tumor suppressor.
  • Loss of NF2 function is associated with schwannoma, meningioma, and ependymoma formation.
  • The role of NF2/Merlin in colorectal cancer proliferation and apoptosis is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of NF2/Merlin in colorectal cancer cells.
  • To determine if NF2/Merlin regulates colorectal cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • To explore the potential of NF2/Merlin as a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of NF2/Merlin expression in colorectal cancer versus adjacent non-cancerous cells.
  • Experimental manipulation of NF2/Merlin levels in colorectal cancer cells.
  • In vitro and in vivo assays to assess cell proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis rates.

Main Results:

  • NF2/Merlin expression was significantly reduced in colorectal cancer cells compared to normal adjacent cells.
  • Overexpression of NF2/Merlin inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and in vivo.
  • Increased apoptosis rates were observed in colorectal cancer cells upon NF2/Merlin overexpression.

Conclusions:

  • NF2/Merlin is downregulated in colorectal tumors, independent of neurofibromatosis context.
  • Restoring NF2/Merlin expression suppresses colorectal cancer growth.
  • Inducing NF2/Merlin expression presents a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

A Three-dimensional Model of Spheroids to Study Colon Cancer Stem Cells06:38

A Three-dimensional Model of Spheroids to Study Colon Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 22, 2021

6.7K
Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.3K

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.3K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.6K
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
9.7K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
8.1K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
5.8K