BRAF (Serine/threonine-protein kinase B-raf) is involved in the transduction of mitogenic signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus. BRAF plays a role in the postsynaptic responses of hippocampal neurons. Defects in BRAF are a cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC syndrome), also known as cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome. CFC syndrome is characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, heart defects and mental retardation.