Recombinant Mouse CD117/c-kit Protein (Fc Tag) (RPES8487)

C-Kit is a type 3 transmembrane receptor for MGF (mast cell growth factor , also known as stem cell factor). c-Kit contains 5 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains and 1 protein kinase domain. It belongs to the protein kinase superfamily , tyr protein kinase family , and CSF-1/PDGF receptor subfamily. C-Kit has tyrosine-protein kinase activity. Binding of the ligands leads to the autophosphorylation of KIT and its association with substrates such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Antibodies to c-Kit are widely used in immunohistochemistry to help distinguish particular types of tumor in histological tissue sections. It is used primarily in the diagnosis of GISTs. In GISTs , c-Kit staining is typically cytoplasmic , with stronger accentuation along the cell membranes. C-Kit antibodies can also be used in the diagnosis of mast cell tumors and in distinguishing seminomas from embryonal carcinomas. Mutations in the c-Kit gene are associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors , mast cell disease , acute myelogenous leukemia , and piebaldism. Defects in KIT are a cause of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML is a malignant disease in which hematopoietic precursors are arrested in an early stage of development. Note=Somatic mutations that lead to constitutive activation of KIT are detected in AML patients.