Signaling by BRAF and RAF1 fusions

In addition to the more prevalent point mutations, BRAF and RAF1 are also subject to activation as a result of translocation events that yield truncated or fusion products (Jones et al, 2008; Cin et al, 2011; Palanisamy et al, 2010; Ciampi et al, 2005; Stransky et al, 2014; Hutchinson et al, 2013; Zhang et al, 2013; Lee et al, 2012; Ricarte-Filho et al, 2013; reviewed in Lavoie and Therrien et al, 2015). In general these events put the C-terminal kinase domain of BRAF or RAF1 downstream of an N-terminal sequence provided by a partner protein. This removes the N-terminal region of the RAF protein, relieving the autoinhibition imposed by this region of the protein. In addition, some but not all of the fusion partner proteins have been shown to contain coiled-coil or other dimerization domains. Taken together, the fusion proteins are thought to dimerize constitutively and activate downstream signaling.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-6802952), read 2026-09-23.