Study on the roles of ezrin on epithelial physiology and cancer metastasis using ezrin knockdown mice.

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Ezrin is an actin-binding protein which cross-links between plasma membrane proteins and cytoskeletons. It is essential for morphogenesis of the apical domain of epithelial cells as well as neuronal tissues. Recently, ezrin has been reported to be involved in membrane fusion, endocytosis/exocytosis, and targeting of specific transport proteins to the cell surface under the control of hormones and cellular signals. In this research project, we studied the roles of ezrin in the whole body in vivo using "ezrin-knock-down mice", and especially focused on its roles on epithelial architecture, transport, and tumor development. In conclusion, we found that ezrin is involved in epithelial architecture of GI tract, phosphate re-absorption in kidneys, and tumor development.