SCFR/CD177/c-Kit is characteristically present in pericytes if not in those of the myocardium.
In addition this receptor protein tyrosine kinase is implicated in the processes of melanogenesis together with MITF and other. Visceral lesions of "tuberous sclerosis" (overactivation mTOR prototype syndrome ) are characterized by a phenotype in which coexist characteristics of pericyte and melanogenesis although incomplete. the only lesions that do not show this "abnormal" melanogenesis are cardiac rhabdomyomas and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA).
c-KIT protein has been identified to be expressed in tissue mast cells, melanocytes, glandular epithelial cells of breast, parotid, dermal sweat, and esophageal glands. Further, c-KIT plays a critical role in the development of some kinds of tumors; GIST, melanoma etc. As to central nervous system, however, c-KIT expression is confined to Golgi and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. In contrast, circumventricular organs' pericytes are unlikely to express c-KIT. Instead, they are positive for PDGFR-beta.
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