MiT/TFE Family Renal Cell Carcinoma

The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor/transcription factor E (MiT/TFE) family of transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved, basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) transcription factors, consisting of MITF, TFEB, TFE3, and TFEC. MiT/TFE proteins, with the exception of TFEC, are involved in the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Most of the MiT/TFE transcription factor alterations seen in sporadic RCC cases of MiT family translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) are chimeric proteins generated by chromosomal rearrangements. These chimeric MiT/TFE proteins retain the bHLH-Zip structures and act as oncogenic transcription factors. The germline variant of MITF p.E318K has been reported as a risk factor for RCC. E 318 is present at the SUMOylation consensus site of MITF. The p.E318K variant abrogates SUMOylation on K 316, which results in alteration of MITF transcriptional activity. Only a few cases of MITF p.E318K RCC have been reported, and their clinical features have not yet been fully described. It would be important for clinicians to recognize MITF p.E318K RCC and consider MITF germline testing for undiagnosed familial RCC cases. This review outlines the involvement of the MiT/TFE transcription factors in RCC, both in sporadic and hereditary cases. Further elucidation of the molecular function of the MiT/TFE family is necessary for better diagnosis and treatment of these rare diseases.