Tyrosine-protein kinase Mer (MERTK)

Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to several ligands such as LGALS3, TUB, TULP1 or GAS6. 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 causes 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.