Description
This gene encodes a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family of transmembrane signaling proteins that play important roles in cell differentiation, growth and metabolism. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate alpha and beta chains that form a disulfide-linked heterodimer which, in turn homodimerizes to form a mature, functional receptor. Mice lacking the encoded protein develop severe hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia, and die within a couple of days after birth as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis