DDR1/CD167a

DDR1/CD167a is a receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the DDR1 gene that is activated not by soluble growth factors but by fibrillar and basement membrane collagens. Collagen binding induces slow, sustained receptor autophosphorylation, a kinetics distinct from classical RTK signaling that regulates cell adhesion, migration, matrix remodeling and inflammatory cytokine release. DDR1 contains an N-terminal discoidin domain responsible for collagen recognition and is expressed chiefly in epithelial cells, fibroblasts and cells of the immune and reproductive systems. DDR1 dysregulation has been implicated in renal and pulmonary fibrosis, atherosclerosis and carcinoma progression, and selective DDR1 inhibitors are in preclinical and early clinical development.