MERTK

Expressed during most, if not all, stages of embryological development beginning in the morula and blastocyst and progressing through the yolk sac and fetal liver stages.

Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to several ligands including LGALS3, TUB, TULP1 or GAS6. Regulates many physiological processes including cell survival, migration, differentiation, and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Ligand binding at the cell surface induces autophosphorylation of MERTK on its intracellular domain that provides docking sites for downstream signaling molecules. Following activation by ligand, interacts with GRB2 or PLCG2 and induces phosphorylation of MAPK1, MAPK2, FAK/PTK2 or RAC1. MERTK signaling plays a role in various processes such as macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cytoskeleton reorganization and engulfment. Functions in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a regulator of rod outer segments fragments phagocytosis. Also plays an important role in inhibition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated innate immune response by activating STAT1, which selectively induces production of suppressors of cytokine signaling SOCS1 and SOCS3.

Autophosphorylated on Tyr-744, Tyr-748 and Tyr-749 in the activation loop allowing full activity (By similarity). Autophosphorylated on Tyr-867 leading to recruitment of downstream partners of the signaling cascade such as PLCG2.

Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Tyr protein kinase family. AXL/UFO subfamily.

Expressed predominantly in the hematopoietic lineages: macrophages, NK cells, NKT cells, dendritic cells and platelets.

• Cell membrane
• Single-pass type I membrane protein

Mer, Mertk, Tyrosine-protein kinase Mer, Proto-oncogene c-Mer, Receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK

• entrezGene:17289
• swissprot:Q60805

Proteins

Immunology & Infectious Disease

110157Da