Involved in the transduction of mitogenic signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus. May play a role in the postsynaptic responses of hippocampal neuron. Frequently mutated in thyroid cancers, skin melanomas and at lower frequency in a wide range of human cancers. An activating mutation, mimicking phosphorylation of the activation loop, is seen in 60% of malignant melanoma samples. Raf mutations are generally exclusive to Ras activating mutations.