Recombinant Human MERTK/MER Protein (His&GST Tag)

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 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 testis; ovary; prostate; lung; and kidney; with lower expression in spleen; small intestine; colon; and liver. MERTK 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. MERTK signaling plays a role in various processes such as macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells; platelet aggregation; cytoskeleton reorganization and engulfment. MERTK plays also 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. Defects in MERTK are the cause of retinitis pigmentosa type 38.