MERTK Protein, Rat (HEK293, His)

MERTK Protein is a receptor tyrosine kinase that facilitates the transmission of signals from the extracellular matrix to the cytoplasm by binding to various ligands, including LGALS3, TUB, TULP1, or GAS6. This protein governs crucial physiological processes such as cell survival, migration, differentiation, and the engulfment of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Upon ligand binding, autophosphorylation of MERTK occurs on its intracellular domain, creating docking sites for downstream signaling molecules. Subsequently, MERTK interacts with GRB2 or PLCG2, leading to the phosphorylation of MAPK1, MAPK2, FAK/PTK2, or RAC1. Consequently, MERTK signaling contributes to diverse processes, including macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cytoskeleton reorganization, and engulfment. Within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), MERTK serves as a regulator of phagocytosis of rod outer segment fragments. Furthermore, it plays a vital role in suppressing the innate immune response triggered by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by activating STAT1, which selectively promotes the production of suppressors of cytokine signaling SOCS1 and SOCS3.