title: A glimpse of the ERM proteins.
abstract: In all eukaryotes, the plasma membrane is critically important as it maintains the architectural integrity of the cell. Proper anchorage and interaction between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton is critical for normal cellular processes. The ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) proteins are a class of highly homologous proteins involved in linking the plasma membrane to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. This review takes a succinct look at the biology of the ERM proteins including their structure and function. Current reports on their regulation that leads to activation and deactivation was examined before taking a look at the different interacting partners. Finally, emerging roles of each of the ERM family members in cancer was highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Cell migration laboratory, Molecular and Cellular Medicine Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Hopkins Building, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Berkshire, UK. gponuwei4real@yahoo.com.|Molecular and Cellular Medicine unit, Department of Biomedical sciences, School of Life Sciences, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK. gponuwei4real@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Godwin A
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9432-7140
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ponuwei
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; C093376:sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor
keywords: Cancer; Ezrin; Moesin; Phospholipids; Plasma membrane; Radixin