ML329 is a small molecule inhibitor of MITF, inhibiting TRPM-1 promoter activity.

MITF:1.2 μM.

ML329 effectively reduces the expression of various micropthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) target genes and impedes the growth of several cell lines reliant on MITF for proliferation. This compound potentially interacts with MITF or its regulatory elements directly or indirectly. Given MITF's critical role in regulating the cell cycle and pigmentation, ML329's interference with MITF presents a promising approach to elucidate MITF's specific functions in melanoma and to assess the inhibition of MITF's activity as a viable melanoma treatment strategy. Notably, ML329 selectively targets MITF-dependent cells and primary melanocytes without affecting the viability of A375 cells. It also diminishes the expression of key MITF target genes involved in pigmentation and cell cycle regulation, such as CDK2. Thus, ML329 serves as an invaluable research tool to explore MITF's contribution to the development of melanocyte lineage and the progression of melanoma.