Overview:

AXL, a transforming gene isolated from primary human myeloid leukemia cells, encodes a novel receptor tyrosine kinase which is a member of the TAM (TYRO3/AXL/MER) receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily (1). AXL represents a unique structure of the extracellular region that juxtaposes IgL and FNIII repeats and Axl transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factors like vitamin K-dependent protein growth-arrest-specific gene 6 (2). AXL is involved in the stimulation of cell proliferation and can also mediate cell aggregation by homophilic binding.

Gene Aliases:

UFO, JTK11

Genbank Number:

NM_021913

References:

1. O'Bryan, J. P.et.al: Axl, a transforming gene isolated from primary human myeloid leukemia cells, encodes a novel receptor tyrosine kinase. Molec. Cell. Biol. 11: 5016-5031, 1991.

2. Varnum, B. C.et.al: Axl receptor tyrosine kinase stimulated by the vitamin K-dependent protein encoded by growth-arrest-specific gene 6. Nature 373: 623-626, 1995.