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FB2026_01
,
released March 12, 2026
This report describes vestibular schwannomatosis (SWNV), also known as neurofibromatosis, type 2; SWNV exhibits autosomal dominant inheritance. The human gene implicated in this disease is Neurofibromin 2, which encodes a protein that plays a role in regulating cell proliferation and cell adhesion; the NF2 protein has been shown to interact with cell-surface proteins, proteins involved in cytoskeletal dynamics, and proteins involved in regulating ion transport. There is a single orthologous gene in Drosophila, Mer, for which classical loss-of-function alleles, RNAi-targeting constructs, and alleles caused by insertional mutagenesis have been generated.
Multiple UAS constructs of the human Hsap\NF2 gene has been introduced into flies. Heterologous rescue (functional complementation) has been demonstrated using the more prevalent human NF2 isoform. An isoform that differs at the C terminus fails to rescue. Nonsense mutations are the most common type of variant associated with SWNV; a number of missense mutations have also been implicated in the disease. Variant(s) implicated in human disease tested (as transgenic human gene, Hsap\NF2): the R466*, K413E, and L64P variant forms of the human gene have been introduced into flies.
Animals homozygous for an amorphic mutation of Dmel\Mer do not survive to adult stage. Adults homozygous for hypomorphic alleles exhibit eye and wing phenotypes, allowing screens for and characterization of genetic interactions. Targeted loss-of-function effected by RNAi frequently results in mild overproliferation phenotypes. Many genetic and physical interactions for Dmel\Mer have been described; see below and in the Mer gene report.
[updated Dec. 2023 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
[SCHWANNOMATOSIS, VESTIBULAR; SWNV](https://omim.org/entry/101000)
[NF2, MOESIN-EZRIN-RADIXIN-LIKE (MERLIN) TUMOR SUPPRESSOR; NF2](https://omim.org/entry/607379)
Patients develop nervous system tumors (schwannomas, meningiomas, ependymomas, astrocytomas, and neurofibromas), peripheral neuropathy, ophthalmological lesions (cataracts, epiretinal membranes, and retinal hamartomas), and cutaneous lesions (skin tumours) (Asthagiri, et al., 2009; pubmed:19476995).
Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas with associated symptoms of tinnitus, hearing loss, and balance dysfunction. The average age of onset is 18 to 24 years. Almost all affected individuals develop bilateral vestibular schwannomas by age 30 years. [Gene Reviews, Neurofibromatosis 2; 2018.03.14]
Vestibular schwannomatosis (SWNV), also known as neurofibromatosis type II (NF2), is an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia syndrome characterized by the development of multiple benign nerve sheath tumors, called schwannomas, particularly affecting the vestibular nerve (usually bilaterally), but also involving cranial, spinal, and peripheral/cutaneous nerves. Meningiomas are common, affecting up to 80% of affected individuals. Ependymomas are seen in 20 to 35% of affected individuals. Ocular manifestations, including cataracts, retinal hamartomas, and epiretinal membranes, are also seen (summary by Plotkin et al., 2022; pubmed:35674741). [from MIM:101000; 2023.12.05]
Vestibular schwannomatosis (SWNV) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the NF2 gene on chromosome 22q12. [from MIM:101000; 2023.12.05]
NF2 encodes a protein similar to proteins that are thought to link cytoskeletal components with proteins in the cell membrane. Neurofibromin 2 protein has been shown to interact with cell-surface proteins, proteins involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and proteins involved in regulating ion transport. NF2 appears to be a regulator of the Hippo/SWH signaling pathway, which plays a pivotal role in tumor suppression by restricting proliferation and promoting apoptosis. [Gene Cards, NF2; 2018.03.19]
NF2 plays a role in regulating cell proliferation and cell adhesion (FBrf0226713 and references cited therein).
One to one: 1 human to 1 Drosophila.
High-scoring ortholog of human NF2 (1 Drosophila to 1 human); Dmel\Mer shares 47% identity and 65% similarity with the human gene.