Molecule
SCF (Stem Cell Factor / KIT Ligand)
Normal KIT ligand — bypassed in D816V+ disease
- Expression change
- Normal
- Evidence level
- established
Role in pathogenesis
SCF normally binds KIT to activate receptor signaling for mast cell growth and survival. In D816V+ SM, the mutant KIT signals constitutively without SCF binding, making the receptor ligand-independent.