Growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6)
GAS6proteinGrowth arrest-specific 6 is a vitamin-K-dependent ligand of the TAM receptor family (AXL, MERTK, TYRO3). Released on platelet activation, it signals through platelet TAM receptors to potentiate degranulation, integrin αIIbβ3 activation and clot stabilization, linking platelet activation to thrombus growth in atherothrombotic MI. The Gas6/AXL axis is also upregulated in STEMI and implicated in vascular inflammation.
Pathway placement
Cascade stepPlatelet adhesion & activation
Confidencehigh
RationaleGas6, via platelet TAM receptors (AXL/MERTK/TYRO3), amplifies platelet activation and stabilizes the growing thrombus; genetic/pharmacologic Gas6 loss protects against arterial and venous thrombosis without prolonging bleeding.
Also acts inCoagulation / thrombus, Endothelial activation/erosion
Druggability
DruggableYes
Known drugs / candidates1
Small-molecule tractableNo
Antibody tractableYes
EnsemblENSG00000183087
Type I vs Type II discrimination
ScoresLow-confidence (proxy)
R — rupture / Type-I58
C — confounder / Type-II63
A — assay feasibility72
E — evidence strength26
T1DI (composite)9
Specificity differential (R−C)-5.4
Confounder panel (Type-II drivers)
No confounder evidence retrieved.
Tier: light (literature co-occurrence proxy — lower confidence). See the discrimination table for all markers.
Assay & specimen
Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.
Specimen
Serum or plasma
Collection tube
Serum separator (gold/red-top, SST) · K2/K3-EDTA (lavender-top)
Method / principle
Sandwich immunoassay (ELISA) — research-grade unless a cleared assay exists
Reagent / substrate
Matched anti-target antibody pair (capture + labeled detection)
Platform
ELISA microplate or multiplex (Luminex/MSD)
Turnaround · availability
Send-out / research · Research-grade (no universal clinical assay)
Literature evidence(6)
- Detection of Gas6/AXL complex and its expression changes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.Frontiers in medicine · 2025 · PMID 40933570 · doi
- iMer, a naturally occurring MERTK splice variant, binds to GAS6 to decrease platelet activation and thrombus formation.Blood vessels, thrombosis & hemostasis · 2025 · PMID 40918742 · doi
- AXL in cardiovascular diseases: Pathophysiological insights and clinical perspectives.Pathology, research and practice · 2025 · PMID 40652749 · doi
- Protective effects of Ginkgolide B on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury: role of the GAS6/Axl signaling pathway.Chemico-biological interactions · 2025 · PMID 40541647 · doi
- Functions of TAM Receptors and Ligands Protein S and Gas6 in Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 · PMID 39684449 · doi
- Immunological role of Gas6/TAM signaling in hemostasis and thrombosis.Thrombosis research · 2024 · PMID 38723521 · doi