cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome Mutations in the BRAF gene are the most common cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. This condition affects many parts of the body, particularly the heart (cardio-), facial features (facio-), and the skin and hair (cutaneous). At least 49 BRAF mutations have been identified in people with this disorder. These mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the BRAF protein. Almost all of these genetic changes abnormally activate the protein, which disrupts the tightly regulated RAS/MAPK signaling pathway in cells throughout the body. The altered signaling interferes with the normal development of many organs and tissues, resulting in the characteristic features of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. cholangiocarcinoma Genetics Home Reference provides information about cholangiocarcinoma. Erdheim-Chester disease At least one mutation in the BRAF gene has been identified in some people with Erdheim-Chester disease. This rare condition is characterized by the abnormal production and accumulation of immune system cells called histiocytes in many of the body's tissues. The disease most commonly affects the bones, causing bone thickening and pain, but the accumulation of histocytes can also cause signs and symptoms affecting the brain, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs. The BRAF gene mutation that causes this condition is somatic, meaning that it occurs during a person's lifetime and is present only in certain cells. The mutation affects a single amino acid in the BRAF protein. Specifically, the mutation replaces the amino acid valine with the amino acid glutamic acid at position 600 (written as Val600Glu or V600E). This mutation leads to production of a BRAF protein that is abnormally active, which disrupts regulation of cell growth and division and may allow histiocytes to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to the abnormal accumulation of histiocytes that occurs in Erdheim-Chester disease. gastrointestinal stromal tumor Genetics Home Reference provides information about gastrointestinal stromal tumor. giant congenital melanocytic nevus The V600E mutation (described above) in the BRAF gene has also been found to cause giant congenital melanocytic nevus. This condition is characterized by a large, noncancerous patch of abnormally dark skin that is present from birth and an increased risk of a type of skin cell cancer called melanoma. In giant congenital melanocytic nevus, a somatic V600E mutation occurs during embryonic development in cells that will develop into pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes). This mutation leads to production of a BRAF protein that is abnormally active, which disrupts regulation of cell growth and division. The unregulated cell growth of early melanocytes leads to a large patch of darkly pigmented skin characteristic of giant congenital melanocytic nevus. Uncontrolled cell growth of melanocytes after birth contributes to the risk of developing melanoma in people with giant congenital melanocytic nevus. Langerhans cell histiocytosis Somatic mutations in the BRAF gene, most frequently the V600E mutation (described above), have been identified in some individuals with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. This disorder causes an abnormal accumulation of certain immune cells called Langerhans cells in multiple tissues and organs, which often leads to the formation of tumors called granulomas. However, Langerhans cell histiocytosis is usually not considered a form of cancer. The BRAF gene mutations, which are found only in the abnormal Langerhans cells, cause the BRAF protein to be continuously active. The overactive protein may contribute to the development of Langerhans cell histiocytosis by allowing the Langerhans cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. In some other forms of histiocytosis such as Erdheim-Chester disease (described above), the histiocytes do not include Langerhans cells; a disorder of that type is classified as a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It is not clear why the V600E mutation can cause different forms of histiocytosis. lung cancer Genetics Home Reference provides information about lung cancer. multiple myeloma Genetics Home Reference provides information about multiple myeloma. Noonan syndrome Genetics Home Reference provides information about Noonan syndrome. Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines At least two mutations in the BRAF gene have been found to cause Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (formerly called LEOPARD syndrome). This condition is characterized by multiple brown skin spots (lentigines), heart defects, short stature, a sunken or protruding chest, and distinctive facial features. The BRAF gene mutations change single amino acids in the BRAF protein: One mutation replaces the amino acid threonine with the amino acid proline at position 241 (written as Thr241Pro or T241P) and the other mutation replaces the amino acid leucine with the amino acid phenylalanine at position 245 (written as Leu245Phe or L245F). The BRAF gene changes that cause Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines are believed to abnormally activate the BRAF protein, which disrupts the regulation of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway that controls cell functions such as growth and division. This misregulation can result in the various features of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines. cancers Somatic mutations in the BRAF gene are common in several types of cancer. Normally, the BRAF protein is switched on and off in response to signals that control cell growth and development. Somatic mutations cause the BRAF protein to be continuously active and to transmit messages to the nucleus even in the absence of these chemical signals. The overactive protein may contribute to the growth of cancers by allowing abnormal cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. The V600E mutation (described above) is the most common BRAF gene mutation found in human cancers. This mutation has frequently been found in an aggressive form of skin cancer called melanoma as well as in cancers of the colon and rectum, ovary, and thyroid gland. Several other somatic mutations in the BRAF gene have also been associated with cancer.

     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.

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• p53
• NF-kappaB
• NF-kappaB1
• c-Jun
• AP-1
• Pax-3
• c-Myb
• C/EBPalpha
• STAT3

Tissue specificity:

Brain and testis.

Enzyme Regulation:

Activity is increased by EGF and HGF.

Cofactor:

Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit.

Molecular Function:

• Protein Serine/Threonine Kinase Activity
• Map Kinase Kinase Kinase Activity
• Calcium Ion Binding
• Atp Binding
• Identical Protein Binding

Biological Processes:

• Mapk Cascade
• Myeloid Progenitor Cell Differentiation
• Protein Phosphorylation
• Visual Learning
• Animal Organ Morphogenesis
• Positive Regulation Of Gene Expression
• Negative Regulation Of Fibroblast Migration
• Glucose Transport
• Thyroid Gland Development
• Positive Regulation Of Peptidyl-Serine Phosphorylation
• Somatic Stem Cell Population Maintenance
• Regulation Of Cell Proliferation
• Negative Regulation Of Apoptotic Process
• Cd4-Positive, Alpha-Beta T Cell Differentiation
• Positive T Cell Selection
• Response To Peptide Hormone
• Negative Regulation Of Neuron Apoptotic Process
• Thymus Development
• Positive Regulation Of Axon Regeneration
• Positive Regulation Of Axonogenesis
• Protein Heterooligomerization
• Positive Regulation Of Stress Fiber Assembly
• Response To Camp
• Long-Term Synaptic Potentiation
• Head Morphogenesis
• Face Development
• Positive Regulation Of Erk1 And Erk2 Cascade
• Cellular Response To Calcium Ion
• Establishment Of Protein Localization To Membrane
• Positive Regulation Of Substrate Adhesion-Dependent Cell Spreading
• Negative Regulation Of Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis
• Negative Regulation Of Endothelial Cell Apoptotic Process

Drug Bank:

• Vemurafenib
• Regorafenib
• Dabrafenib
• Sorafenib