RET

RET (REarranged during Transfection) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by a complex consisting of a soluble glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligand (GFL) and a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored co-receptor, GDNF family receptors alpha (GFRalpha).

RET signalling is crucial for the development of the enteric nervous system. RET regulates the development of sympathetic, parasympathetic, motor, and sensory neurons, and is necessary for the postnatal maintenance of dopaminergic neurons. RET also plays a role as a driver oncogene in a variety of human cancers. Fusion of RET with several partner genes has been detected in papillary thyroid, lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for RET (particularly RET-specific inhibitors) show promising effects against such cancers.