Rat Tyrosine-Protein Kinase Receptor UFO (AXL) Protein

Background

AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a member of the TAM (Tyro3, AXL, and MERTK) receptor tyrosine kinase family. This family of receptors is characterized by their roles in cell survival, proliferation, migration, and immune regulation. AXL was first identified as a transforming gene in chronic myeloid leukemia, and since then, it has been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, fibrosis, and immune response modulation. AXL and its ligands are widely expressed in various tissues, including the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. The primary ligand for AXL is growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), a vitamin K-dependent protein that mediates the receptor's activation. Binding of Gas6 to AXL triggers a cascade of downstream signaling events that influence cellular behaviors and fate decisions.