ROS Kinase

The transmembrane proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ROS is one of the last two remaining orphan receptor tyrosine kinases. Its normal expression pattern is tightly spatiotemporally restricted during development. The ectopic expression, as well as the production of variable mutant forms of ROS kinase, has been reported in a number of cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme, and non-small cell lung cancer, suggesting a role for ROS kinase in deriving such tumors. It is thought also that the c-ROS gene may have a role in some cardiovascular diseases, and the fact that homozygous male mice targeted against the c-ROS gene are healthy but infertile has inspired researchers to think about ROS inhibition as a method for the development of new male contraceptives.

ROS1 is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase proto-oncogene that has been shown to have rearrangements with several genes in glioblastoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and other neoplasms, including intrachromosomal fusion with GOPC due to microdeletions at 6q22.1. ROS1 fusion events are important findings in these tumors, as they are potentially targetable alterations with newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors.