The Role of the TAM Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Neural Development and Disorders

Abstract

Tyrosine kinase receptor 3 (Tyro3), Axl, and Mer constitute the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases. These receptor tyrosine kinases are characterized by a conserved sequence within the kinase domain and adhesion molecule-like extracellular domains. The TAM family and their shared ligands, growth arrest-specific gene-6 (Gas6) and protein S, are differentially expressed in the developing and adult nervous systems. The TAM family regulates normal cellular processes and plays an important role in nervous system development and diseases, including cell proliferation/survival, cell adhesion and migration, neuronal differentiation, cell apoptosis, myelination, degeneration, and immune regulation. This review summarizes the developing expression of the TAM family and ligands and their function in neural development and nervous system diseases. Further research will be necessary to fully elucidate the function of the TAM family and to evaluate the clinical implications of TAM family expression and activation in nervous system diseases.