c-Kit - The Novel Receptor: Physiological Roles, Downstream Signaling and Implications in Cancer

The document reviewed the role of c-kit, a type III receptor tyrosine kinase, highlighting its physiological and pathological significance. It discussed the identification of c-kit positive Cardiac Progenitor Cells (CPCs) in the heart, which challenged the belief that the adult mammalian heart lacks regenerative potential. The SCIPIO phase I clinical trial demonstrated that autologous c-kit positive CPCs improved cardiac function and quality of life in ischemic heart disease patients. c-Kit, activated by its ligand Stem Cell Factor (SCF), played crucial roles in processes such as hematopoiesis, immune regulation, and organ development. However, aberrant c-kit activation was linked to various tumors. The article aimed to provide a comprehensive review of c-kit's structure, function, and signaling mechanisms, emphasizing its dual role in normal physiology and disease.