TI - Merlin phosphorylation by p21-activated kinase 2 and effects of phosphorylation on merlin localization . AB - The Nf2 tumor suppressor gene product merlin is related to the membrane-cytoskeleton linker proteins of the band 4.1 superfamily , including ezrin , radixin , and moesin (ERMs) . Merlin is regulated by phosphorylation in a Rac/cdc42 -dependent fashion . We report that the phosphorylation of merlin at serine 518 is induced by the p21-activated kinase PAK2 . This is demonstrated by biochemical fractionation , use of active and dominant-negative mutants of PAK2 , and immunodepletion . By using wild-type and mutated forms of merlin and phospho -directed antibodies , we show that phosphorylation of merlin at serine 518 leads to dramatic protein relocalization .