title: ERM proteins in epithelial cell organization and functions.
abstract: ERM (Ezrin, Radixin, Moesin) proteins are membrane-cytoskeleton linkers that regulate the structure and the function of specific domains of the plasma membrane. ERM proteins are expressed in all metazoan analyzed so far. Genetic analysis of ERM protein functions has recently been performed simultaneously in three different organisms, mouse, Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans. These studies have revealed a remarkable conservation of the protein functions through evolution. Moreover they have shed light on the crucial role these proteins play in various physiological processes that occur in epithelial cells.
authors.affiliation: UMR 144 CNRS-Institut Curie 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 PARIS cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fiévet
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Louvard
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arpin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099149:Ezrin
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D000099149:Ezrin; C071058:moesin; C071776:radixin