The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the ros/insulin receptor family of tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of proteins is a key to the control of diverse pathways leading to cell growth and differentiation. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. These transcripts are expressed in a tissue-specific manner in lymphocytes, brain and neuroblastoma cells, and the encoded isoforms exhibit different subcellular localization. The lymphocyte and brain specific variants initiate translation at non-AUG (CUG) start codons.