YC and MO have contributed equally to this work.
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Fifteen-year quest for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor target genes
Article first published online: 25 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2009.00653.x
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Additional Information
How to Cite
Cheli, Y., Ohanna, M., Ballotti, R. and Bertolotto, C. (2010), Fifteen-year quest for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor target genes. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 23: 27–40. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2009.00653.x
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YC and MO have contributed equally to this work.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 JAN 2010
- Article first published online: 25 NOV 2009
- PUBLICATION DATA Received 19 October 2009, revised and accepted for publication 13 November 2009, published online 25 November 2009
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Keywords:
- microphthalmia-associated transcription factor;
- targets;
- melanocytes;
- melanoma;
- mast cells;
- osteoclasts
Summary
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was initially shown to play a key role in melanocyte differentiation through the direct transcriptional control of TYROSINASE, TYRP1 and DCT genes, encoding the three enzymes involved in melanin synthesis or melanogenesis. Sixteen years after the first description of MITF, more than 40 direct MITF target genes have been described. They play a key role in melanocyte, osteoclast and mast cell specific functions. Furthermore, several MITF target genes, e.g. BCL2, CDK2, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, MET and HIF1A, link MITF to general cellular processes such as growth or survival. In this review, we provide an overview of the MITF-regulated genes. We pay special attention to the MITF target genes in melanocytes and raise questions about target specificity.