Background:  

    This gene encodes a protein belonging to the RAF family of serine/threonine protein kinases. This protein plays a

    role in regulating the MAP kinase/ERK signaling pathway, which affects cell division, differentiation, and secretion. 

    Mutations in this gene, most commonly the V600E mutation, are the most frequently identified cancer-causing 

    mutations in melanoma, and have been identified in various other cancers as well, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma,

    colorectal cancer, thyroid carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, hairy cell leukemia and adenocarcinoma of lung.

    Mutations in this gene are also associated with cardiofaciocutaneous, Noonan, and Costello syndromes, which exhibit 

    overlapping phenotypes. A pseudogene of this gene has been identified on the X chromosome.