Macrophage-stimulating protein receptor (RON) (RON)

Macrophage-stimulating protein receptor (MST1R), commonly known as RON, is a receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the MET proto-oncogene family (UniProt Q04912). It is primarily expressed on epithelial cells and macrophages, where it mediates cellular responses to its ligand, macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) (PMID: 24513173). Upon ligand binding, the RON kinase domain undergoes autophosphorylation, activating downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK that regulate cell growth, motility, and survival (PMID: 21151177). In various malignancies, including breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, RON is frequently overexpressed or present in oncogenic truncated forms, contributing to tumor progression and metastasis (PMID: 23534361). Therapeutic interventions targeting the RON kinase domain, such as small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, aim to disrupt these pro-tumorigenic signals (PMID: 28651518). However, the high structural similarity between the kinase domains of RON and MET poses a significant challenge for developing highly selective inhibitors (PMID: 18088621). Beyond oncology, RON signaling is also involved in modulating inflammatory responses and wound healing processes.

Other names

MST1RPTK8CD136Recepteur d'origine nantaisProtein-tyrosine kinase 8MSP receptor

Tyrosine kinase inhibition via competitive binding to the ATP-binding site of the intracellular kinase domain, preventing autophosphorylation and downstream signaling cascades.