KRAS and BRAF (signaling pathways in MEF2C context)

**What it means:** KRAS and BRAF are genes that code for proteins in the **MAPK/ERK signaling pathway** — a cellular "messaging chain" that tells cells to grow, divide, and differentiate. In some cases, mutated KRAS or BRAF proteins can activate MEF2C as part of a feedback loop. **Why it matters for MHS:** MEF2C doesn't work in isolation. It's part of a vast signaling network, and mutations in upstream genes (KRAS, BRAF) or downstream targets can affect MEF2C function. Understanding these connections helps explain why different MEF2C mutations might produce different symptoms, and why some treatments being developed for RASopathies (like KRAS-mutant cancers) might have overlap with MHS mechanisms.