Chapters authored
Interplay Between Protein Kinase C Isoforms Alpha and Epsilon, Neurofibromin, and the Ras/MAPK Pathway in Neuroblastoma Differentiation
Part of the book: Neuroblastoma
Two Tails for Neurofibromin: A Tale of Two Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Neurofibromatosis type 1, NF-1, is a common monogenic (NF1) disease, characterized by highly variable clinical presentation and high predisposition for tumors, especially those of astrocytic origin (low- to high-grade gliomas). Unfortunately, very few genotype–phenotype correlations have been possible, and the numerous identified mutations do not offer help for prognosis and patient counselling. Whole gene deletion in animals does not successfully model the disease, as NF-1 cases caused by point mutations could be differentially affected by cell type-specific alternative splice variants of NF1. In this chapter, we will discuss the differential Microtubule-Associated-Protein (MAP) properties of NLS or ΔNLS neurofibromins, produced by the alternatively splicing of exon 51, which also contains a Nuclear Localization Sequence (NLS), in the assembly of the mitotic spindle and in faithful genome transmission. We will also commend on the major theme that emerges about NLS-containing tumor suppressors that function as mitotic MAPs.
Part of the book: Clinical and Basic Aspects of Neurofibromatosis Type 1