NF1 Gene
The NF1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called neurofibromin. Neurofibromin acts as a tumor suppressor protein. This protein appears to prevent cell overgrowth by turning off another protein (called ras) that stimulates cell growth and division. 27
Mutations in
NF1 are more common in melanomas occurring on chronically sun-exposed skin or in older patients,
melanomas with higher mutation burden or wild-type for
BRAF and
NRAS,
and certain clinicopathologic melanoma subtypes, specifically desmoplastic melanoma.
25
