The BRAF gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps transmit chemical signals from outside the cell to the cell’s nucleus. This protein is part of a signaling pathway known as the RAS/MAPK pathway, which controls several important cell functions. Specifically, the RAS/MAPK pathway regulates the growth and division (proliferation) of cells, the process by which cells mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation), cell movement (migration), and the self-destruction of cells (apoptosis). Chemical signaling through this pathway is essential for normal development before birth.
The BRAF gene belongs to a class of genes known as oncogenes. When mutated, oncogenes have the potential to cause normal cells to become cancerous.
Other Names
94 kDa B-raf protein; B-raf 1; B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase; BRAF1; BRAF1_HUMAN; Murine sarcoma viral (v-raf) oncogene homolog B1; p94; RAFB1; v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B
Related Genetics Topics
- Noonan syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
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- Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines — MedlinePlus Genetics
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- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Giant congenital melanocytic nevus — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Erdheim-Chester disease — MedlinePlus Genetics
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Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 673
- OMIM: 164757
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
