MERTK Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase (MERTK) belongs to the Tyro3-Axl-MERTK (TAM) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Its primary expression occurs in monocytes. Structurally MERTK has an extracellular domain with two immunoglobulin-like domains and two fibronectin type III domains essential for ligand binding, a transmembrane domain anchoring the receptor in the cell membrane, and an intracellular kinase domain that initiates downstream signaling pathways upon ligand binding and receptor dimerization. It plays crucial roles in various physiological processes, including immune regulation, clearance of apoptotic cells, and cellular homeostasis, and its aberrant expression or activation is implicated in the progression of multiple cancers.

Its Gene ID: 10461, UniProtKB ID: Q12866, and OMIM ID: 604705.

Fig.1 The structure of MERTK.^{1, 3}

The Role of MERTK in Cancer

MERTK contributes to the oncogenesis of various human cancers, encompassing hematological malignancies, glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer. It plays significant oncogenic roles in cancer progression. Firstly, MERTK's activation promotes tumor cell survival and proliferation by initiating survival pathways, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and fostering tumor growth. Secondly, MERTK enhances cancer cell migration and invasion by inducing cytoskeletal reorganization and upregulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), facilitating tumor spread and metastasis. Lastly, MERTK contributes to immune evasion by modulating the tumor microenvironment to be immunosuppressive, enabling cancer cells to evade immune surveillance and attack.

Fig.2 The role of MERTK in cancer.^{2, 3}

MERTK Antibodies in Therapies

MERTK is increasingly recognized as a critical target in cancer therapy due to its roles in tumor cell survival, proliferation, migration, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. The development and application of MERTK-targeting antibodies offer promising therapeutic strategies in oncology. These antibodies can inhibit MERTK signaling by blocking ligand binding, preventing receptor activation, and inducing receptor internalization and degradation. They can also engage immune effector cells through their Fc regions, leading to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and the targeted killing of MERTK-expressing cancer cells. Additionally, MERTK antibodies modulate the tumor microenvironment by targeting MERTK on tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells, reducing immunosuppression and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. When combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, or targeted therapies, MERTK antibodies can enhance overall therapeutic efficacy and overcome resistance mechanisms.

Services

Creative Biolabs is a leading biotechnology company specializing in custom antibody development and production services. We provide a comprehensive range of antibodies targeting the MERTK, essential for studying MERTK's role in cancer progression, therapeutic resistance, and immune modulation. With our commitment to quality, customization, and support, Creative Biolabs stands out as a reliable partner for researchers investigating the molecular mechanisms of cancer and developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting MERTK.

REFERENCES

1. Chen, Chao-Ju, and Yu-Peng Liu. "Mertk inhibition: potential as a treatment strategy in egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant non-small cell lung cancer." Pharmaceuticals 14.2 (2021): 130.
2. Bae, Seung-Hyun, et al. "BMS794833 inhibits macrophage efferocytosis by directly binding to MERTK and inhibiting its activity." Experimental & Molecular Medicine 54.9 (2022): 1450-1460.
3. Under open access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.