Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient at risk of developing or having a neurofibromatosis or a sporadic schwannoma. In exemplary embodiments, the method involves administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a modulator of a target related to neurofibromatosis. Also disclosed are screening assays involving the implementation of Merlin-null Schwann cells, and to compounds identified using same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient at risk of developing or having a neurofibromatosis or a sporadic schwannoma. In exemplary embodiments, the method involves administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a LIMK modulating agent. Also disclosed are compounds newly identified to be inhibitors of Merlin-null Schwann cell proliferation and/or survival.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) in Schwann cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with laminin-1 so as to bind ?6?1 integrin sufficiently to activate endogenous kinase Cdc42-Pak; and phosphorylating Schwannomin-S518 in the cells by the activated kinase, effectively inactivating. Schwannomin's tumor suppressor activity and allowing proliferation of subconfluent Schwann cells, thereby modeling NF2. The invention also includes a method of preventing a Schwann cell from forming a tumor by contacting the cell with an amount of tyrphostin AG825 sufficient to inhibit a receptor selected from ErB2, ErB3, ?1 integrins and combinations thereof, so as to prevent phosphorylation of Schwannomin-S815 by one or more endogenous kinases.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) in Schwann cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with laminin-1 so as to bind ?6?1 integrin sufficiently to activate endogenous kinase Cdc42-Pak; and phosphorylating Schwannomin-S518 in the cells by the activated kinase, effectively inactivating Schwannomin's tumor suppressor activity and allowing proliferation of subconfluent Schwann cells, thereby modeling NF2. The invention also includes a method of preventing a Schwann cell from forming a tumor by contacting the cell with an amount of tyrphostin AG825 sufficient to inhibit a receptor selected from ErB2, ErB3, ?1 integrins and combinations thereof, so as to prevent phosphorylation of Schwannomin-S815 by one or more endogenous kinases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient at risk of developing or having a neurofibromatosis or a sporadic schwannoma. In exemplary embodiments, the method involves administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a LIMK modulating agent. Also disclosed are compounds newly identified to be inhibitors of Merlin-null Schwann cell proliferation and/or survival.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient at risk of developing or having a neurofibromatosis or a sporadic schwannoma. In exemplary embodiments, the method involves administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a modulator of a target related to neurofibromatosis. Also disclosed are screening assays involving the implementation of Merlin-null Schwann cells, and to compounds identified using same.