MITF

Transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of melanocyte survival and differentiation as well as melanosome biogenesis. Binds to M-boxes (5'-TCATGTG-3') and symmetrical DNA sequences (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in the promoter of pigmentation genes, such as tyrosinase (TYR). Involved in the cellular response to amino acid availability by acting downstream of MTOR: in the presence of nutrients, MITF phosphorylation by MTOR promotes its inactivation. Upon starvation or lysosomal stress, inhibition of MTOR induces MITF dephosphorylation, resulting in transcription factor activity. Plays an important role in melanocyte development by regulating the expression of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1). Plays a critical role in the differentiation of various cell types, such as neural crest-derived melanocytes, mast cells, osteoclasts and optic cup-derived retinal pigment epithelium..

Function from UniProtKB (O75030), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.