Relevance to Autism

The transcript for the MSN gene appears to be targeted by a noncoding RNA transcribed from a region of chromosome 5p14.1 that contains a genome-wide significant association with ASD with the SNP rs4307059; the noncoding RNA bound to MSN and could regulate levels of moesin protein in human cell lines (Kerin et al., 2012).

Molecular Function

Moesin (for membrane-organizing extension spike protein) is a member of the ERM family which includes ezrin and radixin. ERM proteins appear to function as cross-linkers between plasma membranes and actin-based cytoskeletons. Moesin is localized to filopodia and other membranous protrusions that are important for cell-cell recognition and signaling and for cell movement.

External Links

References