Ligand for tyrosine-protein kinase receptors AXL, TYRO3 and MER whose signaling is implicated in cell growth and survival, cell adhesion and cell migration. 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. ; (Microbial infection) Can bridge virus envelope phosphatidylserine to the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase Axl to mediate viral entry by apoptotic mimicry (PubMed:21501828). Plays a role in Dengue cell entry by apoptotic mimicry (PubMed:23084921). Plays a role in Vaccinia virus cell entry by apoptotic mimicry (PubMed:21501828). Plays a role in ebolavirus and marburgvirus cell entry by apoptotic mimicry (PubMed:17005688).
