ORCID
- David B. Parkinson: 0000-0002-5704-4923
Abstract
Loss of the Merlin tumor suppressor and activation of the Hippo signaling pathway play major roles in the control of cellproliferation and tumorigenesis. We have identified completely novel roles for Merlin and the Hippo pathway effectorYes-associated protein (YAP) in the control of Schwann cell (SC) plasticity and peripheral nerve repair after injury. Injuryto the peripheral nervous system (PNS) causes a dramatic shift in SC molecular phenotype and the generation of repaircompetent SCs, which direct functional repair. We find that loss of Merlin in these cells causes a catastrophic failure ofaxonal regeneration and remyelination in the PNS. This effect is mediated by activation of YAP expression inMerlin-null SCs, and loss of YAP restores axonal regrowth and functional repair. This work identifies new mechanismsthat control the regenerative potential of SCs and gives new insight into understanding the correct control of functionalnerve repair in the PNS.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2017-01-30
Publication Title
Journal of Cell Biology
Volume
65
ISSN
0021-9525
Acceptance Date
2016-11-09
Deposit Date
2024-06-04
Embargo Period
2017-07-30
First Page
495
Last Page
510
Recommended Citation
Mindos, T., Dun, X., North, K., Doddrell, R., Schulz, A., Edwards, P., Russell, J., Gray, B., Roberts, S., Shivane, A., Mortimer, G., Pirie, M., Zhang, N., Pan, D., Morrison, H., & Parkinson, D. (2017) 'Merlin controls the repair capacity of Schwann cells after injury by regulating Hippo/YAP activity', Journal of Cell Biology, 65, pp. 495-510. Available at: 10.1083/jcb.201606052
