Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase involved in numerous cellular mechanisms including cell proliferation, neuronal navigation, cell migration, and cell differentiation in response to glia cell line-derived growth family factors (GDNF, NRTN, ARTN, PSPN and GDF15) (PubMed:20064382, PubMed:20616503, PubMed:20702524, PubMed:21357690, PubMed:21454698, PubMed:24560924, PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886, PubMed:31118272). In contrast to most receptor tyrosine kinases, RET requires not only its cognate ligands but also coreceptors, for activation (PubMed:21994944, PubMed:23333276, PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886). GDNF ligands (GDNF, NRTN, ARTN, PSPN and GDF15) first bind their corresponding GDNFR coreceptors (GFRA1, GFRA2, GFRA3, GFRA4 and GFRAL, respectively), triggering RET autophosphorylation and activation, leading to activation of downstream signaling pathways, including the MAPK- and AKT-signaling pathways (PubMed:21994944, PubMed:23333276, PubMed:24560924, PubMed:25242331, PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886).

Acts as a dependence receptor via the GDNF-GFRA1 signaling: in the presence of the ligand GDNF in somatotrophs within pituitary, promotes survival and down regulates growth hormone (GH) production, but triggers apoptosis in absence of GDNF (PubMed:20616503, PubMed:21994944). Required for the molecular mechanisms orchestration during intestine organogenesis via the ARTN-GFRA3 signaling: involved in the development of enteric nervous system and renal organogenesis during embryonic life, and promotes the formation of Peyer's patch-like structures, a major component of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (By similarity). Mediates, through interaction with GDF15-receptor GFRAL, GDF15-induced cell-signaling in the brainstem which triggers an aversive response, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and/or loss of appetite in response to various stresses (PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886).

Modulates cell adhesion via its cleavage by caspase in sympathetic neurons and mediates cell migration in an integrin (e.g. ITGB1 and ITGB3)-dependent manner (PubMed:20702524, PubMed:21357690). Also active in the absence of ligand, triggering apoptosis through a mechanism that requires receptor intracellular caspase cleavage (PubMed:21357690).

Triggers the differentiation of rapidly adapting (RA) mechanoreceptors (PubMed:20064382). Involved in the development of the neural crest (By similarity). Regulates nociceptor survival and size (By similarity).

Phosphorylates PTK2/FAK1 (PubMed:21454698)

Phosphorylated form interacts with the PBT domain of DOK2, DOK4 and DOK5 (By similarity). The phosphorylated form interacts with PLCG1 and GRB7 (By similarity). Interacts (not phosphorylated) with PTK2/FAK1 (via FERM domain) (PubMed:21454698).

Extracellular cell-membrane anchored RET cadherin fragments form complex in neurons with reduced trophic status, preferentially at the contact sites between somas (PubMed:21357690). Interacts with AIP in the pituitary gland; this interaction prevents the formation of the AIP-survivin complex (PubMed:19366855). Interacts (inactive) with CBLC and CD2AP; dissociates upon activation by GDNF which increases CBLC:CD2AP interaction (PubMed:18753381)

• Hirschsprung disease 1 (HSCR1)

  A disorder of neural crest development characterized by absence of enteric ganglia along a variable length of the intestine. It is the most common cause of congenital intestinal obstruction. Early symptoms range from complete acute neonatal obstruction, characterized by vomiting, abdominal distention and failure to pass stool, to chronic constipation in the older child.

• Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)

  Rare tumor derived from the C cells of the thyroid. Three hereditary forms are known, that are transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion: (a) multiple neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), (b) multiple neoplasia type IIB (MEN2B) and (c) familial MTC (FMTC), which occurs in 25-30% of MTC cases and where MTC is the only clinical manifestation.

• Multiple neoplasia 2B (MEN2B)

  Uncommon inherited cancer syndrome characterized by predisposition to MTC and phaeochromocytoma which is associated with marfanoid habitus, mucosal neuromas, skeletal and ophthalmic abnormalities, and ganglioneuromas of the intestine tract. Then the disease progresses rapidly with the development of metastatic MTC and a pheochromocytome in 50% of cases.

• Pheochromocytoma (PCC)

  A catecholamine-producing tumor of chromaffin tissue of the adrenal medulla or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, is hypertension, which may be persistent or intermittent.

• Multiple neoplasia 2A (MEN2A)

  The most frequent form of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). It is an inherited cancer syndrome characterized by MTC, phaeochromocytoma and/or hyperparathyroidism.

• Unknown disease
• Unknown disease