Overview:

MET is a proto-oncogene that encodes a transmembrane growth factor receptor which is a heterodimer of two disulphide linked chains of 50 kDa (alpha) and 145 kDa (beta). MET is widely expressed in the kidney, brain, lung, skin, and embryonic tissue (1). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) binds to MET and activates its tyrosine kinase activity. MET is overexpressed and activated in a variety of human cancers including pancreatic, colon, gastric, cervical and ovarian cancers and has been shown to be involved in tumor cell migration and invasion (2). The fusion proteins of KIF5B-MET variant has been found in lung adenocarcinomas with the function of oncogenesis (3).

Gene Aliases:

KIF5B: KINH, UKHC, KNS
MET: HGFR, RCCP2

Genbank Number:

NM_004521
NM_000245

References:

1. Giordano, S. et al: Biosynthesis of the protein encoded by the c-met proto-oncogene. Oncogene. 1989 Nov;4(11):1383-8.

2. Iyer, A. et al: Structure, tissue-specific expression, and transforming activity of the mouse met protooncogene. Cell Growth Differ. 1990 Feb;1(2):87-95.

3. Gow CH, et al: Oncogenic Function of a KIF5B-MET Fusion Variant in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Neoplasia. 2018 Aug;20(8):838-847.