MERTK: upstream from BRAF

U.S. researchers have shown that inhibiting c-Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase, a protein that sits upstream from BRAF, reduced melanoma growth in mice.¹ Future studies will need to determine whether inhibitors of this kinase are effective in BRAF-resistant tumors.

c-Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) is a member of the TAM receptor family of transmembrane proteins that includes TYRO3 protein tyrosine kinase (TYRO3; Sky) and AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL; UFO). MERTK is expressed on at least three types of normal cells: platelets, for which it aids their aggregation; macrophages, which it enables to engulf target cells; and a range of epithelial cell types, for which it plays a role in survival...