C-kit mutations and mast cell disorders - A model of activating mutations of growth factor receptors

Mastocytosis are a group of diseases characterized by abnormal proliferation of mast cells. Various forms are observed in respect to the organ system involved, clinical manifestations, and association with hematological disorders. The c-kit proto-oncogene encodes for a receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis, especially in mast cell growth and differentiation. Mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of c-kit have been reported in murine and human malignant cell lines, and more recently in some cases of human mast cell diseases. The biochemical and clinical aspects of these mutations are reviewed with special emphasis on the experiments which demonstrate their role in oncogenesis and mast cell proliferation.