| Background |
Stem cell factor (SCF) is a growth factor that is essential for hematopoiesis, melanogenesis and fertility. SCF is also known as mast cell growth factor (MCGF), steel factor (SLF), or kit ligand (KL) SCF mediates its biological effects by binding to and activating c-Kit SCF induces dimerization of c-Kit followed by trans-autophosphorylation of the cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase domain, leading to subsequent recruitment of signaling proteins, tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates and activation of multiple signaling pathways SCF/c-Kit may take part in the growth control of human malignancies.
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