[5] Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play a key role in the communication of cells with their microenvironment.

The protein encoded by this gene is a RTK that is widely expressed in normal and transformed epithelial cells and is activated by various types of collagen.

[6] In situ studies and Northern-blot analysis showed that expression of this encoded protein is restricted to epithelial cells, particularly in the kidney, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and brain.

In addition, this protein is significantly over-expressed in several human tumors from breast, ovarian, esophageal, and pediatric brain.

[5] This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.