The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily (RTK class IX). Mer belongs to the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer) RTK family, whose members function as inhibitors of innate inflammatory responses in dendritic cells and are essential to the prevention of lupus-like autoimmunity. Additionally, the members of this family of RTKs have been implicated in the development and metastasis of many cancers, including hematological malignancies and solid tumors of the colon, brain and breast. Although it is similar to other receptor tyrosine kinases, this protein represents a unique structure of the extracellular region that juxtaposes IgL and FNIII repeats. It transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factors like vitamin K-dependent protein growth-arrest-specific gene 6. It is involved in the stimulation of cell proliferation and can also mediate cell aggregation by homophilic binding.