ROR1, a type I membrane protein, is a receptor protein tyrosine kinase that modulates neurite growth in the central nervous system. The ROR-family receptor tyrosine kinases consist of two structurally related proteins, ROR1 and ROR2. These proteins are characterized by having intracellular tyrosine kinase domains, which are highly related to Trk-family kinases, extracellular Frizzled-like cysteine-rich domains (CRDs) and Kringle domains. The ROR family members are highly conserved among species, such as C. elegans, Drosophila, Xenopus and mammals. ROR1 and ROR2 are both involved in organogenesis with particular emphasis in neuronal differentiation. Increased expression of ROR1 in acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLLs) implicate this protein as a potential tool for targeted immunotherapy in these diseases.
