Likewise, α-MSH signalling in melanoma predisposing MC1R RHC (red hair colour) mutant backgrounds, which does not elevate cAMP, would alone be equivalent to KITL signalling in a wild type background with regards to MITF and STAT3, the outcome being STAT3 phosphorylation and MITF activation and subsequent depletion. The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is melanoma.