Definition

A member of a group of proteins called tyrosine kinases that are found on the surface of cells. RTKs play an important role in many cell functions, including cell-to-cell communication and cell division, maturation, movement, metabolism, and survival. Sometimes, the genes that make RTKs have mutations (changes) that cause RTKs to be overactive or be found in higher-than-normal amounts. This may cause cancer cells to grow. Drugs that block the mutant RTKs are being used to treat some types of cancer. Also called receptor tyrosine kinase.