Up to date many genes are known to be deregulated in tumor development and progression. Genes important in tumorigenesis belong to families such as proteases, kinases and receptors. However, an important family of proteins is rarely discussed: the mediators of transcriptional control, the transcription factors. Usually, changes in transcription factor expression or activity can lead to more than just one downstream modification, as transcription factors are higher, thinking in a hierarchical way of expression control. In this review we summarize the role of the transcription factors AP-1, AP-2alpha, CREB, CtBP, ETS-1, HMGB1, LEF/TCF/beta-catenin, MITF, NFkappaB, PAX3, SKI, Snail and STAT in carcinogenesis focusing on melanoma development and progression.