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KIT Gene Function

KIT Proto-Oncogene, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

ProteinCurated

Overview

KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by stem-cell factor. Activating KIT mutations can drive gastrointestinal stromal tumours and some haematological or melanocytic cancers; the affected exon and protein domain influence biological and treatment interpretation.

Molecular Mechanism

Detailed mechanism data is not yet available for KIT.

Key Pathways

  • ·Receptor tyrosine-kinase signalling
  • ·RAS–MAPK signalling
  • ·PI3K–AKT signalling

Disease Associations

  • ·Gastrointestinal stromal tumour
  • ·Systemic mastocytosis
  • ·Core-binding-factor AML
  • ·Melanoma

Research Activity

KIT is an actively studied target: about 700+ clinical trials that mention it are currently recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial activity reflects research interest, not proven benefit — designs, endpoints and populations vary widely.

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Functional Partners

Common Questions About KIT

What does KIT do?

KIT participates in Receptor tyrosine-kinase signalling, RAS–MAPK signalling, PI3K–AKT signalling. KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by stem-cell factor. Activating KIT mutations can drive gastrointestinal stromal tumours and some haematological or melanocytic cancers; the affected exon and protein domain influence biological and treatment interpretation.

Why is KIT relevant to cancer research?

Its reported relevance includes Gastrointestinal stromal tumour, Systemic mastocytosis, Core-binding-factor AML. The exact alteration, assay and disease context determine what a result can support.

Answers are based on peer-reviewed literature from PubMed and curated gene databases. Read our complete guide to gene function →