The interconnected KIT receptor and Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor axis in melanoma
Popular Abstract in Swedish Den farligaste formen av hudcancer, melanom, uppkommer genom okontrollerad tillväxt av melanocyter som är celler specialiserade i pigmentproduktion. Dessa celler skyddar oss från den farliga UV-strålingen med hjälp av pigment som omvandlar ljusvågor till värme. I Sverige drabbas drygt 2000 personer per år av sjukdomen. Cirka 80-85 % av dessa botas genom kirurgi men hos Melanoma is an aggressive disease that arises from deregulated signaling events in melanocytes. The KIT receptor tyrosine kinase and the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) are two essential components that are required for the normal physiology of melanocyte development and function. Consequently, aberrant activities of these factors are involved in the development of melanoma.