SCF

Stem cell factor (SCF), also known as ckit ligand (KL), mast cell growth factor (MGF), and steel factor (SLF), is a widely expressed 28-40 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein. It promotes the survival, differentiation, and mobilization of multiple cell types including myeloid, erythroid, megakaryocytic, lymphoid, germ cell, and melanocyte progenitors. SCF is a primary growth and activation factor for mast cells and eosinophils. Mature mouse SCF consists of a 189 amino acid (aa) extracellular domain (ECD), a 23 aa transmembrane segment, and a 36 aa cytoplasmic tail. Proteolytic cleavage at two alternate sites in the extracellular juxtamembrane region releases a 25 kDa soluble. An alternately spliced isoform of mouse SCF lacks 28 aa that encompasses the primary proteolytic recognition site. Within the ECD of the short isoform, mouse SCF shares 93% aa sequence identity with rat SCF and 72%-75% with canine, feline, and human SCF. Rat SCF is active on mouse and human cells, but human SCF is only weakly active on mouse cells. Noncovalent dimers of transmembrane or soluble SCF interact with the receptor tyrosine kinase SCF R/ckit to trigger receptor dimerization and signaling.