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 (Jones et al, 2008; Lee et al, 2012; Hutchinson et al, 2013; Ciampi et al, 2005; Cin et al, 2011; Stransky et al, 2014).

MAPKs are phosphorylated downstream of constitutively active BRAF and RAF fusion proteins (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).

BRAF and RAF fusion dimers constitutively phosphorylate MAP2Ks (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).

BRAF and RAF fusion proteins expressed in cancer constitutively activate downstream signaling and promote cellular transformation (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). Recruitment of MAP2Ks and MAPKs to the fusion dimers may occur in conjunction with scaffold proteins as is the case for WT RAF dimers, however this has not been studied in detail.

Fusion mutants of BRAF and RAF1 are believed to form constitutive dimers and activate downstream signaling independent of RAS and external stimuli (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). The RAF portion of the fusion mutants may undergo phosphorylation of the N-region and activation loops similar to WT as shown in this reaction, although this has not been studied in detail. While WT RAF phosphorylation happens in the context of a complex with with RAS, this is unlikely to be the case for the fusion mutants, as many of these proteins lack the N-terminal RAS binding domain (reviewed in Lavoie and Therrien, 2015).

After phosphorylation by MAP2Ks, the scaffolded kinase complex assembled by BRAF and RAF fusion dimers presumably dissociates, as is the case for WT complexes (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).