Axl (Ufo, Ark), Dtk (Sky, Tyro3, Rse, Brt) and Mer (human and mouse homologues of chicken cEyk)constitute a new receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily. The extracellular domain of these proteins contain two Ig-like motifs and two fibronectin type III motifs. This characteristic topology is also found in neural cell adhesion molecules and in receptor tyrosine phosphatases. All three receptors bind the vitamin K-dependent protein growth-arrest specific gene 6 (Gas6) which is structurally related to the anticoagulation factor protein S. The binding affinities for Gas6 is in the order of Axl > Dtk > Mer. Gas6 binding induces tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream signaling pathways that can lead to cell proliferation, migration, or the prevention of apoptosis. Dtk is widely expressed during embryonic development. In adults, Dtk is predominantly expressed in neurons in restricted regions of the brain.