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The SCF/c‐KIT system in the male: Survival strategies in fertility and cancer
Author(s) -
Cardoso Henrique J.,
Figueira Marília I.,
Correia Sara,
Vaz Cátia V.,
Socorro Sílvia
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.22430
Subject(s) - biology , stem cell factor , carcinogenesis , receptor tyrosine kinase , cancer research , proto oncogene proteins c kit , cancer , stem cell , germ cell , signal transduction , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , haematopoiesis , gene
SUMMARY Maintaining the delicate balance between cell survival and death is of the utmost importance for the proper development of germ cells and subsequent fertility. On the other hand, the fine regulation of tissue homeostasis by mechanisms that control cell fate is a factor that can prevent carcinogenesis. c‐KIT is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase activated by its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). c‐KIT signaling plays a crucial role in cell fate decisions, specifically controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Indeed, deregulating the SCF/c‐KIT system by attenuation or overactivation of its signaling strength is linked to male infertility and cancer, and rebalancing its activity via c‐KIT inhibitors has proven beneficial in treating human tumors that contain gain‐of‐function mutations or overexpress c‐KIT. This review addresses the roles of SCF and c‐KIT in the male reproductive tract, and discusses the potential application of c‐KIT target therapies in disorders of the reproductive system. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 1064–1079, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .