Moesin is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''MSN''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...

. Moesin (for membrane-organizing extension spike protein) is a member of the

ERM protein family The ERM protein family consists of three closely related proteins, ezrin, radixin and moesin. The three paralogs, ezrin, radixin and moesin, are present in vertebrates, whereas other species have only one ERM gene. Therefore, in vertebrates these ...

which includes

ezrin Ezrin also known as cytovillin or villin-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''EZR'' gene. Structure The N-terminus of ezrin contains a FERM domain which is further subdivided into three subdomains. The C-terminus contain an ERM d ...

and

radixin Radixin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''RDX'' gene. Radixin is a cytoskeletal protein that may be important in linking actin to the plasma membrane. It is highly similar in sequence to both ezrin and moesin. The radixin gene has ...

. ERM proteins appear to function as cross-linkers between plasma membranes and

actin Actin is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments in the cytoskeleton, and the thin filaments in muscle fibrils. It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at a concentration of over ...

-based

cytoskeleton The cytoskeleton is a complex, dynamic network of interlinking protein filaments present in the cytoplasm of all cells, including those of bacteria and archaea. In eukaryotes, it extends from the cell nucleus to the cell membrane and is compos ...

s. Moesin is localized to

filopodia Filopodia (singular filopodium) are slender cytoplasmic projections that extend beyond the leading edge of lamellipodia in migrating cells. Within the lamellipodium, actin ribs are known as ''microspikes'', and when they extend beyond the lame ...

and other membranous protrusions that are important for

cell–cell recognition Cell–cell recognition is a cell's ability to distinguish one type of neighboring cell from another.Campbell, et al., Biology, ''Eighth Edition'', 2008 Pearson Education Inc. This phenomenon occurs when complementary molecules on opposing cell s ...

and signaling and for cell movement.

Interactions

Moesin has been shown to

interact Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizati ...

with: *

CD43 Leukosialin also known as sialophorin or CD43 (cluster of differentiation 43) is a transmembrane cell surface protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SPN'' (sialophorin) gene. Function Sialophorin (leukosialin) is a major sialoglycoprotein ...

ICAM3 Intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3) also known as CD50 (Cluster of Differentiation 50), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ICAM3'' gene. The protein is constitutively expressed on the surface of leukocytes, which are also called ...

Neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 Neutrophil cytosol factor 1, also known as p47phox, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NCF1'' gene. Function The protein encoded by this gene is a 47 kDa cytosolic subunit of neutrophil NADPH oxidase. This oxidase is a multicompone ...

, *

Neutrophil cytosolic factor 4 Neutrophil cytosol factor 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NCF4'' gene. Function The protein encoded by this gene is a cytosolic regulatory component of the superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH-oxidase, a multicomponent enzyme ...

VCAM-1 Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''VCAM1'' gene. VCAM-1 functions as a cell adhesion molecule. Stru ...

* EZR

Interactions

References

Further reading