Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) family and functions as the master regulator of the melanocytic lineage.MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) is a lineage-specific transcription factor that plays a critical role in melanocyte homeostasis and whose deregulation has been shown to contribute to melanoma disease. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is expressed in melanomas and has a critical role in melanocyte development and transformation. Because inhibition of MITF inhibits cell growth in melanoma, MITF is a potential therapeutic target molecule. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) regulates the transcription of its target genes by binding to their promoters. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a key regulator of differentiation of melanocytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells, but it also has functions in non-pigment cells.