MERTK
MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase
Also known as: MERTK, MER, Tyro12, RP38
Biology & Mechanism
MERTK is a TAM family receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates efferocytosis and anti-inflammatory signaling in microglia. It uses Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands for phosphatidylserine recognition on apoptotic cells. MERTK promotes phagocytic clearance of cell debris, lipid droplets, and myelin. MERTK signaling also suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production following phagocytosis, linking clearance to resolution of inflammation.
Open Questions
- —What is the relative contribution of MERTK versus AXL to microglial efferocytosis in the aging brain?
- —Can MERTK agonism promote clearance while simultaneously suppressing neuroinflammation?
- —How does MERTK signaling change across microglial states in human neurodegeneration?
Sources
- TAM receptors regulate multiple features of microglial physiology (2017)
Last reviewed: June 1, 2026