Characterisation of novel potential phosphorylation sites in the tumour suppressor Merlin in Drosophila

• Author / Creator

  Yip, Sophia

• Neurofibromatosis Type II is an inherited cancer that manifests as various tumours in the nervous system. Mutations and deletions in the tumour suppressor Merlin (moesin, ezrin, radixin-like protein) are linked to the development of the disease. The mechanism by which Merlin suppresses cell growth is not yet clearly understood, however studies have shown that phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating the sub-cellular localisation, conformation, and activity of Merlin. Using in vivo genetic methods in Drosophila melanogaster, I undertook a characterisation of two novel potential phosphorylation sites that appear to be regulating Merlin function.
  In this thesis, I show that two phosphorylatable residues, serine 371 and threonine 18, in Drosophila Merlin affect the sub-cellular localisation and function of the Merlin protein.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Merlin
  • Phosphorylation
  • NFII
  • Drosophila
  • ERMs

• Graduation date

  Fall 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3CJ87X19

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.