Conferring specificity on the ubiquitous Raf/MEK signalling pathway.
The Raf-MEK-ERK signalling pathway controls fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and survival. It remains enigmatic how this pathway can reliably convert a myriad of extracellular stimuli in specific biological responses. Recent results have shown that the Raf family isoforms A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1 have different physiological functions. Here we review how Raf isozyme diversity contributes to the specification of functional diversity, in particular regarding the role of Raf isozymes in cancer.
O'Neill
E
E
Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK. e.oneill@beatson.gla.ac.uk
Kolch
W
W
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007527:Isoenzymes; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; C482576:MAP3K1 protein, human