Rat Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor,Mitf ELI

Transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes with essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and survival.

Binds to M-boxes (5'-TCATGTG-3') and symmetrical DNA sequences (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in the promoters of target genes, such as BCL2 and tyrosinase (TYR).

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.

{ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O75030}.