AXL Proteins

Protein Information

AXL is a chronic myelogenous leukemia-associated oncogene that is also associated with colon cancer and melanoma. The AXL protein is a receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factors like vitamin K-dependent protein growth-arrest-specific gene 6, and is involved in the stimulation of cell proliferation. TAM receptors are also involved in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Mice lacking all three TAM receptors have several degenerative phenotypes linked to inefficient removal of apoptotic cells and membranes (e.g., in the retina and the male reproductive tract) and develop a severe autoimmune phenotype akin to systemic lupus erythematosus, including the production of broad spectrum auto-antibodies. In addition, Axl may function as a putative entry receptor for filoviruses. Axl is also used to identify a specific subpopulation of human blood dendritic cells, also referred to as Siglec 6+/Axl+ dendritic cells. Cellular expression of Axl can be upregulated by TLR ligands, such as LPS or poly I:C. Soluble Axl is generated by proteolytic cleavage of the membrane form. Increased plasma levels may be indicative of inflammation and cancer.

Synonyms

Adhesion-related kinase; AI323647; ARK; Axl; AXL oncogene; Axl receptor tyrosine kinase; AXL transforming sequence/gene; AZF1; JTK11; oncogene AXL; sAXL; soluble AXL; Tyro7; Tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO; UFO; ufo oncogene homolog