title: c-Kit--a hematopoietic cell essential receptor tyrosine kinase.
abstract: The receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit is expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and in several non-hematopoietic tissues. In the hematopoietic system, c-Kit is critical for proliferation, survival and differentiation. During recent years exploration of the signalling pathways downstream of this receptor has yielded significant new insights in the field. In this review, we will summarise the c-Kit background, structure, downstream signalling and medical significance with particular focus on its role in hematopoietic progenitor cells and mast cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biosciences/Pathology, Build. 6M, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Charlotte E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Edling
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hallberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit