The BRAF protein is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that belongs to the RAF family of kinases, which are crucial components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. This pathway, also known as the ERK signaling cascade, is involved in regulating a range of cellular activities including cell growth, differentiation, and survival. The BRAF protein plays a pivotal role in transducing signals from cell surface receptors to the nucleus, thereby influencing cellular behavior. Under normal conditions, the activation of BRAF is tightly regulated. However, when mutations occur in the BRAF gene, the resulting BRAF protein can become constitutively active, leading to uncontrolled signaling and contributing to the development and progression of cancer. The most well-known mutation is the BRAF V600E mutation, where a valine at position 600 is substituted by a glutamic acid. This mutation causes the BRAF protein to be continuously active, leading to increased cell proliferation and resistance to cell death.
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