The LMR kinases are unusual amongst the RTKs in possessing a short extracellular domain and extended intracellular domain (hence the ‘Lemur’ name reflecting the long tail). A precise function for these receptors has yet to be defined, although LMR1 was identified as a potential marker of apoptosis [1], giving rise to the name AATYK (Apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase); while over-expression induces differentiation in neuroblastoma cells [2].

As yet no selective inhibitors of the LMR family have been described.

1. Gaozza E, Baker SJ, Vora RK, Reddy EP. (1997) AATYK: a novel tyrosine kinase induced during growth arrest and apoptosis of myeloid cells. Oncogene, 15 (25): 3127-35. [PMID:9444961]

2. Raghunath M, Patti R, Bannerman P, Lee CM, Baker S, Sutton LN, Phillips PC, Damodar Reddy C. (2000) A novel kinase, AATYK induces and promotes neuronal differentiation in a human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell line. Brain Res Mol Brain Res, 77 (2): 151-62. [PMID:10837911]