This gene is the cellular homolog of viral raf gene (v-raf). The encoded protein is a MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), which functions downstream of the Ras family of membrane associated GTPases to which it binds directly. Once activated, the cellular RAF1 protein can phosphorylate to activate the dual specificity protein kinases MEK1 and MEK2, which in turn phosphorylate to activate the serine/threonine specific protein kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. Activated ERKs are pleiotropic effectors of cell physiology and play an important role in the control of gene expression involved in the cell division cycle, apoptosis, cell differentiation and cell migration. Mutations in this gene are associated with Noonan syndrome 5 and LEOPARD syndrome 2. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],CMD1NN, CRAF, NS5, Raf-1, c-Raf,Apoptosis,Apoptosis_Inhibition of Apoptosis,B Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,Cancer,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Endocrine & Metabolism,ErbB-HER Signaling Pathway,ESC Pluripotency and Differentiation,G protein signaling,G protein signaling_G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Signaling to MAPK/Erk,Growth factors,IL-6 Receptor Signaling Pathway,Immunology & Inflammation,Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway,Kinase,Kinase_Serine/threonine kinases,MAPK-Erk Signaling Pathway,Mitochondrial metabolism,Mitochondrial metabolism_Mitochondrial markers,Neuroscience,Protein phosphorylation,Signal Transduction,T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway,RAF1