The BRAF Gene

The BRAF gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps control cell growth and division through a communication pathway inside cells. When this gene mutates, or changes, it can cause the protein to become overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. This abnormal activity is often found in certain cancers, like melanoma. Testing BRAF mutations helps doctors choose targeted treatments that specifically block this overactive protein, improving the effectiveness of therapy. Overall, BRAF plays a key role in cell regulation, and its mutations are important in understanding and treating some cancers.