Function
Receptor with a tyrosine-protein kinase activity. The exact function of this protein is not known. Studies with chimeric proteins (replacing its extracellular region with that of several known growth factor receptors, such as EGFR and CSFIR) demonstrate its ability to promote growth and specifically neurite outgrowth, and cell survival. Signaling appears to involve the PI3 kinase pathway. Involved in regulation of the secretory pathway involving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export sites (ERESs) and ER to Golgi transport.
Gene References into Functions
- Data show FAM150B, which was named as augmentor-alpha (AUG-alpha), binds and activtes both anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and tyrosine kinase (LTK). PMID: 26630010
- Only two related secreted factors, FAM150A and FAM150B (family with sequence similarity 150 member A and member B), stimulated LTK phosphorylation. PMID: 25331893
- aberrant activation of LTK may contribute to neoplastic cell growth. PMID: 22347506
- polymorphic LTKs cause up-regulation of the PI3K pathway and possibly form one genetic component of susceptibility to abnormal proliferation of self-reactive B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus PMID: 14695357
Involvement in disease
Genetic variations in LTK that cause up-regulation of the PI3K pathway may possibly contribute to susceptibility to abnormal proliferation of self-reactive B-cells and, therefore, to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a chronic, inflammatory and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, thought to represent a failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system.
Subcellular Location
Membrane; Single-pass type I membrane protein.
Protein Families
Protein kinase superfamily, Tyr protein kinase family, Insulin receptor subfamily
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in non-hematopoietic cell lines and T- and B-cell lines.