Tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the AXL gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily. Although it is similar to other receptor tyrosine kinases, the Axl protein represents a unique structure of the extracellular region that juxtaposes IgL and FNIII repeats. It transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding growth factors like vitamin K-dependent protein growth-arrest-specific gene 6. It is involved in the stimulation of cell proliferation. This receptor can also mediate cell aggregation by homophilic binding. Axl is a chronic myelogenous leukemia-associated oncogene and also associated with colon cancer and melanoma. AXL receptor tyrosine kinase has been shown to interact with TENC1.Axl is an essential epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-induced regulator of breast cancer metastasis and patient survival.
