Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase MER (MERTK) is a member of the MER/AXL/TYRO3 receptor kinase family and encodes a transmembrane protein with two fibronectin type-III domains, two Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains, and one tyrosine kinase domain. MERTK is localized in the membrane and is no expressed in normal B- and T-lymphocytes but is expressed in numerous neoplastic B- and T-cell lines. This protein is highly expressed in the testis, ovary, prostate, lung, and kidney, with lower expression in the spleen, small intestine, colon, and liver. MERTK signaling plays a role in various processes such as macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cytoskeleton reorganization and engulfment.
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