Optogenetically controlled RAF to characterize BRAF and CRAF protein kinase inhibitors

Sci Rep        online article

Here, we applied optoRAF, an optogenetic tool for light-controlled clustering and activation of RAF proteins that mimics the natural occurring RAS-mediated dimerization. This versatile tool allows studying the effect on BRAF and CRAF homodimer- as well as heterodimer-induced RAF signaling. We used the opto RAF system to characterize the clinically approved RAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib.