Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Kit receptor (c-Kit)

Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Kit receptor (commonly abbreviated as c-Kit, also known as CD117 or stem cell factor receptor) is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase found on the cell surface of hematopoietic stem cells, mast cells, melanocytes, germ cells, and interstitial cells of Cajal. It is essential for the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation in multiple lineages. c-Kit responds primarily to its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), triggering dimerization, autophosphorylation, and activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Dysregulation, overexpression, or mutations in c-Kit have been implicated in several malignancies, especially gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mastocytosis, and certain leukemias. c-Kit is a major therapeutic target, particularly for tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in oncology. Its expression or mutation status serves as a key biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and drug selection in relevant cancers[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

Stem cell factor receptorCD117KIT receptorSCF receptorTyrosine-protein kinase Kit

Small molecule inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity (competitive ATP binding); Blockade of downstream signaling (inhibition of phosphorylation and signal cascade); Suppression of cancer cell proliferation and survival