Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from theextracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to several ligandsincluding LGALS3, TUB, TULP1 or GAS6. Regulates many physiologicalprocesses including cell survival, migration, differentiation, andphagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Ligand binding at thecell surface induces autophosphorylation of MERTK on its intracellulardomain that provides docking sites for downstream signaling molecules. Following activation by ligand, interacts with GRB2 or PLCG2 andinduces phosphorylation of MAPK1, MAPK2, FAK/PTK2 or RAC1. MERTKsignaling plays a role in various processes such as macrophageclearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cytoskeletonreorganization and engulfment. Functions in theretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a regulator of rod outer segmentsfragments phagocytosis. Plays also an important role in inhibition ofToll-like receptors (TLRs) -mediated innate immune response byactivating STAT1, which selectively induces production of suppressorsof cytokine signaling SOCS1 and SOCS3. [1-2]

MGPAPLPLLLGLFLPALWRRAITEAREEAKPYPLFPGPFPGSLQTDHTPLLSLPHASGYQPALMFSPTQPGRPHTGNVAIPQVTSVESKPLPPLAFKHTVGHIILSEHKGVKFNCSISVPNIYQDTTISWWKDGKELLGAHHAITQFYPDDEVTAIIASFSITSVQRSDNGSYICKMKINNEEIVSDPIYIEVQGLPHFTKQPESMNVTRNTAFNLTCQAVGPPEPVNIFWVQNSSRVNEQPEKSPSVLTVPGLTEMAVFSCEAHNDKGLTVSKGVQINIKAIPSPPTEVSIRNSTAHSILISWVPGFDGYSPFRNCSIQVKEADPLSNGSVMIFNTSALPHLYQIKQLQALANYSIGVSCMNEIGWSAVSPWILASTTEGAPSVAPLNVTVFLNESSDNVDIRWMKPPTKQQDGELVGYRISHVWQSAGISKELLEEVGQNGSRARISVQVHNATCTVRIAAVTRGGVGPFSDPVKIFIPAHGWVDYAPSSTPAPGNADPVLIIFGCFCGFILIGLILYISLAIRKRVQETKFGNAFTEEDSELVVNYIAKKSFCRRAIELTLHSLGVSEELQNKLEDVVIDRNLLILGKILGEGEFGSVMEGNLKQEDGTSLKVAVKTMKLDNSSQREIEEFLSEAACMKDFSHPNVIRLLGVCIEMSSQGIPKPMVILPFMKYGDLHTYLLYSRLETGPKHIPLQTLLKFMVDIALGMEYLSNRNFLHRDLAARNCMLRDDMTVCVADFGLSKKIYSGDYYRQGRIAKMPVKWIAIESLADRVYTSKSDVWAFGVTMWEIATRGMTPYPGVQNHEMYDYLLHGHRLKQPEDCLDELYEIMYSCWRTDPLDRPTFSVLRLQLEKLLESLPDVRNQADVIYVNTQLLESSEGLAQGSTLAPLDLNIDPDSIIASCTPRAAISVVTAEVHDSKPHEGRYILNGGSEEWEDLTSAPSAAVTAEKNSVLPGERLVRNGVSWSHSSMLPLGSSLPDELLFADDSSEGSEVLM