page_title: Stem cell factor
section_title: c-KIT receptor
hierarchical_section_title: Stem cell factor / c-KIT receptor
caption_attribution_description: English: c-Kit expression in hematopoietic cells.
context_page_description: Stem cell factor is a cytokine that binds to the c-KIT receptor. SCF can exist both as a transmembrane protein and a soluble protein. This cytokine plays an important role in hematopoiesis, spermatogenesis, and melanogenesis.
context_section_description: SCF binds to the c-KIT receptor (CD 117), a receptor tyrosine kinase. c-Kit is expressed in HSCs, mast cells, melanocytes, and germ cells. It is also expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells including erythroblasts, myeloblasts, and megakaryocytes. However, with the exception of mast cells, expression decreases as these hematopoietic cells mature and c-KIT is not present when these cells are fully differentiated (Figure 3). SCF binding to c-KIT causes the receptor to homodimerize and auto-phosphorylate at tyrosine residues. The activation of c-Kit leads to the activation of multiple signaling cascades, including the RAS/ERK, PI3-Kinase, Src kinase, and JAK/STAT pathways.
caption: Figure 3: c-Kit expression in hematopoietic cells
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