Fig. 1

A schematic representation of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene product, Merlin, and its possible related signaling cascades. Signals from extracellular environments are transduced via cell-cell contact, cell-matrix contact, or growth factors and then transmitted to signaling cascades, such as the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), PI3K (PI3 phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase)-AKT, and Hpo (Hippo) cascades, which are regulated by Merlin and its homologues [ezrin radixin moesin (ERM) proteins], such as Ezrin. These signaling cascades are often deregulated in malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. ECM Extracellular matrix, ERK extracellular signal-regulated kinase JNK JUN N-terminal kinase, MAPK mitogen-activated protein, PI3 phospatidylinositol-3