MER tyrosine kinase receptor (MERTK)

MER tyrosine kinase receptor (MERTK) is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) receptor tyrosine kinase family. It plays a crucial role in efferocytosis, the process of engulfing apoptotic cells, thereby maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. MERTK is expressed on various cells of the innate immune system and modulates cytokine production, limiting inflammatory responses. Aberrant expression or mutations in MERTK are implicated in diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and cancer, making it a therapeutic target for these conditions. Targeting Mer may improve event-free survival rates while reducing therapy toxicity in ALL patients; similar strategies may be applicable across other cancers where Mer is overexpressed or dysregulated. Loss or dysfunction leads to impaired efferocytosis, increased unengulfed apoptotic bodies, altered macrophage populations/polarization states, iron accumulation due to defective hemoglobin turnover—implicating MerTK as a therapeutic target for fibrotic/immune-mediated diseases.

Other names

c-mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase

Inhibition of MERTK kinase activity, reducing pro-survival signaling pathways such as AKT and MAPK.