Micropthalmia Transcription Factor (MITF) plays an important role in melanocyte development and melanoma growth. MITF is important for embryonic development, regulating the generation of pigment cells and formation of melanomas and other tumors. MITF is made in various isoforms that may play unique roles for different organs during different developmental periods. Additionally, tissue MITF levels can serve as a molecular marker for the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma and therapeutic response.

This technology involves the generation of several novel mouse monoclonal antibodies against a sub-domain of an MITF fragment that is cleaved during cell death. Importantly, these antibodies cross-react with human MITF. The antibody was raised by immunizing mice that are incapable of producing the MITF sub-domain used as the antigen. Three (3) different "clones" of these antibodies are currently available and their corresponding hybridoma names are 6A5 (IgG1), 1D2 (IgG2a) and 3D1 (IgG2a).