KIT
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KIT
KIT (pronounced /kit/) is a term used in the medical field, referring to the KIT proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase. This gene is associated with a variety of diseases, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mastocytosis, and certain types of leukemia.
Etymology
The term KIT is derived from the German word "Kitz", which means "young deer". This is in reference to the gene's role in cell growth and development.
Related Terms
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A type of tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, often associated with mutations in the KIT gene.
- Mastocytosis: A condition characterized by an excessive number of mast cells, often caused by mutations in the KIT gene.
- Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Certain types of leukemia are associated with mutations in the KIT gene.
- Proto-oncogene: A normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression.
- Receptor tyrosine kinase: A type of enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from ATP to protein in a cell. It functions as an "on" or "off" switch in many cellular functions.
See Also
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