Ror receptor tyrosine kinases: orphans no more

Trends Cell Biol. 2008 Nov;18(11):536-44. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2008.08.006. Epub 2008 Oct 9.

Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (Ror) proteins are a conserved family of tyrosine kinase receptors that function in developmental processes including skeletal and neuronal development, cell movement and cell polarity. Although Ror proteins were originally named because the associated ligand and signaling pathway were unknown, recent studies in multiple species have now established that Ror proteins are Wnt receptors. Depending on the cellular context, Ror proteins can either activate or repress transcription of Wnt target genes and can modulate Wnt signaling by sequestering Wnt ligands. New evidence implicates Ror proteins in planar cell polarity, an alternative Wnt pathway. Here, we review the progress made in understanding these mysterious proteins and, in particular, we focus on their function as Wnt receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Polarity / physiology
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • CAM-1 protein, C elegans
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4