Anti-MerTK Antibody

This rabbit polyclonal antibody targets MerTK, a member of the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) that mediates phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells, a process termed efferocytosis, and modulates downstream PI3K/Akt and PLCγ signaling. Manufactured by Antibodies.com, the reagent is supplied as 100 µl of polyclonal IgG at 1 mg/ml in PBS with 0.05% sodium azide at approximately pH 7.2, and is provided unconjugated to support flexible pairing with HRP, biotin, or fluorophore-conjugated secondary reagents.

MerTK is most strongly expressed on macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, and on retinal pigment epithelium, where it engages the bridging ligands Gas6 and Protein S that tether phosphatidylserine exposed on the surface of dying cells. Loss-of-function mutations in the MERTK gene underlie a recognized form of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, while elevated MerTK activity has been reported in gliomas, melanomas, and breast carcinomas, where it is studied for its contribution to tumor-associated immune evasion.

Validated for Western blot, the receptor resolves as a band near 180 kDa, and the unconjugated polyclonal format supports detection of both the full-length receptor and the ADAM17-cleaved soluble MerTK fragment that accumulates in conditioned medium and circulation. Researchers apply this antibody to map efferocytic capacity in atherosclerotic lesions, characterize TAM receptor crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment, probe retinal pigment epithelium phagocytosis in models of degenerative eye disease, and follow MerTK induction kinetics in macrophages stimulated with glucocorticoids or LPS.

The 100 µl vial supports multiple Western blot experiments; aliquot the antibody solution upon first thaw and freeze working aliquots to reduce freeze-thaw cycles of the stock.