The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-Mer (TAM) receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily. The encoded protein possesses an extracellular domain which is composed of two immunoglobulin-like motifs at the N-terminal, followed by two fibronectin type-III motifs. It transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to the vitamin K-dependent protein growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). This gene may be involved in several cellular functions including growth, migration, aggregation and anti-inflammation in multiple cell types. The encoded protein acts as a host cell receptor for multiple viruses, including Marburg, Ebola and Lassa viruses and is a candidate receptor for the SARS-CoV2 virus. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2021]

  • Nucleotide binding
  • Enables virus receptor activity
  • Enables phosphatidylserine binding
  • Protein kinase activity
  • Enables protein serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity
  • Located in extracellular space
  • Located in plasma membrane
  • Is active in integral component of plasma membrane
  • Located in cell surface
  • Located in actin cytoskeleton
  • Involved in neuron migration
  • Involved in natural killer cell differentiation
  • Negative regulation of cytokine production
  • Involved in positive regulation of cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
  • Involved in blood vessel remodeling

Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factor GAS6 and which is thus regulating many physiological processes including cell survival, cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Ligand binding at the cell surface induces dimerization and autophosphorylation of AXL. Following activation by ligand, AXL binds and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PI3-kinase subunits PIK3R1, PIK3R2 and PIK3R3; but also GRB2, PLCG1, LCK and PTPN11. Other downstream substrate candidates for AXL are CBL, NCK2, SOCS1 and TNS2. Recruitment of GRB2 and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase regulatory subunits by AXL leads to the downstream activation of the AKT kinase. GAS6/AXL signaling plays a role in various processes such as endothelial cell survival during acidification by preventing apoptosis, optimal cytokine signaling during human natural killer cell development, hepatic regeneration, gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron survival and migration, platelet activation, or regulation of thrombotic responses. Plays also an important role in inhibition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated innate immune response.

AXL Localizations – Subcellular Localization Database

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-Mer (TAM) receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily. The encoded protein possesses an extracellular domain which is composed of two immunoglobulin-like motifs at the N-terminal, followed by two fibronectin type-III motifs. It transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to the vitamin K-dependent protein growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). This gene may be involved in several cellular functions including growth, migration, aggregation and anti-inflammation in multiple cell types. The encoded protein acts as a host cell receptor for multiple viruses, including Marburg, Ebola and Lassa viruses and is a candidate receptor for the SARS-CoV2 virus. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2021]

  • Nucleotide binding
  • Enables virus receptor activity
  • Enables phosphatidylserine binding
  • Protein kinase activity
  • Enables protein serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase activity
  • Located in extracellular space
  • Located in plasma membrane
  • Is active in integral component of plasma membrane
  • Located in cell surface
  • Located in actin cytoskeleton
  • Involved in neuron migration
  • Involved in natural killer cell differentiation
  • Negative regulation of cytokine production
  • Involved in positive regulation of cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
  • Involved in blood vessel remodeling

Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factor GAS6 and which is thus regulating many physiological processes including cell survival, cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Ligand binding at the cell surface induces dimerization and autophosphorylation of AXL. Following activation by ligand, AXL binds and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PI3-kinase subunits PIK3R1, PIK3R2 and PIK3R3; but also GRB2, PLCG1, LCK and PTPN11. Other downstream substrate candidates for AXL are CBL, NCK2, SOCS1 and TNS2. Recruitment of GRB2 and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase regulatory subunits by AXL leads to the downstream activation of the AKT kinase. GAS6/AXL signaling plays a role in various processes such as endothelial cell survival during acidification by preventing apoptosis, optimal cytokine signaling during human natural killer cell development, hepatic regeneration, gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron survival and migration, platelet activation, or regulation of thrombotic responses. Plays also an important role in inhibition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated innate immune response.

AXL Localizations – Subcellular Localization Database

EmwStructure of the AXL protein. Based on PyMOL rendering of PDB 2c5d.

Gene Location