The Ret proto-oncogene is structurally related to the growing family of tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptors which are cell-surface molecules that transduce signals for cell growth and differentiation, and is involved in GDNF signaling. Research studies have shown that alterations in the corresponding RET gene are associated with diseases including papillary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia (type 2A and 2B), familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, and a congenital developmental disorder known as Hirschsprung’s disease.
