Studieswithhomozygousknockoutmicehavesuggestedthatstemcellfactor(SCForKITLG),c-Kit,microphthalmia(Mitf),andB-cellCLL/lymphoma2(Bcl2)genesregulatesmelanocyticdevelopment.TheSCFactivationofKitreceptorleadstoMitfphosphorylationthroughMAPkinasepathway.TheactivatedMitfrecruitsp300andup-regulatesBcl2transcription,whichplaysanimportantroleinmodulatingthedevelopmentandsurvivalofthemelanocytelineage. Contributor:JosephChuang,PhD REFERENCES:McGillGGetal.Bcl2regulationbythemelanocytemasterregulatorMitfmodulateslineagesurvivalandmelanomacellviABIlity.Cell.2002Jun14;109(6):707-18.PriceERetal.Lineage-specificsignalinginmelanocytes.C-kitstimulationrecruitsp300/CBPtomicrophthalmia.JBiolChem.1998Jul17;273(29):17983-6.WeilbaecherKNetal.LinkageofM-CSFsignalingtoMitf,TFE3,andtheosteoclastdefectinMitf(mi/mi)mice.MolCell.2001Oct;8(4):749-58