Multiple Roles of MITF in Melanoma and Melanocycle Biology скачать в хорошем качестве

Multiple Roles of MITF in Melanoma and Melanocycle Biology

David Fisher MD, PhD Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a transcription factor that is essential to melanocyte development and functions as a master regulator of pigmentation. MITF is also an amplified or mutated oncogene inafraction of melanomas, where it modulates pathways central to survival, metabolism, and differentiated state (i.e., melanoma subtype). Multiple signaling pathways have been identified that modulate MITF’s expression or biochemical activity. Some of these, like the melanocyte stimulating hormone pathway, mediate ultraviolet-induced pigmentation (sun tanning). Recent data suggest that byproducts of the ultraviolet pathway are also molecular mediators of altered behavior. This same pathway also regulates basal pigmentation (e.g., fair skin). Several molecular strategies have been investigated that may alter expression or activity of MITF within melanocytes or melanoma cells. The elucidation of such approaches may lead to novel regulators of pigmentation (skin cancer risk) or represent novel approaches to melanoma treatment.