Oncoprotein aand oncogene versus protein and gene.

I have recently been questioned as to why I often say Oncoproteins and oncogenes. Genes and proteins are good and necessary. BRAF is a good and necessary part of our body makeup. We don't want to stop/remove the BRAF proteins and Genes from our bodies. We want to remove/block the Oncoproteins and oncogenes from their derogatory effects on our bodies.

What is BRAF?

BRAF, a member of the RAF family, is a protein kinase that is encoded by the BRAF gene. The RAF family of proteins includes 3 misinforms: ARAF, BRAF, and CRAF. While each isoform plays a role in the RAS-RAF pathway, BRAF is the main activator of MEK. BRAF plays an important role as an intermediary in the RAS-RAF signaling cascade, a pathway responsible for normal cell growth, differentiation, and survival.2

What is oncogenic BRAF?

Oncogenic BRAF can result from mutations in the BRAF gene. Various activating mutations (ie, somatic point mutations) in BRAF cause the protein to become overactive. This triggers a signaling cascade that can play a role in specific malignancies. Approximately 90% of known BRAF mutations are V600E mutations. These involve the substitution of glutamic acid (E) for valine (V) at position V600 of the protein chain, resulting in constitutively active BRAF. Other variants of this point mutation include lysine (K), aspartic acid (http://www.melanoma.org/node/add/forum/10D), and arginine (R). The V600 point mutation allows BRAF to signal independently of upstream cues.3,4,6,7 As a result of constitutively active BRAF, overactive downstream signaling via MEK and ERK leads to excessive cell proliferation and survival, independent of growth facors. Oncogenic BRAF signaling may lead to increased and uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis (programmed cell death).