Raf: the holy grail of Ras biology?

Ras proteins regulate cell growth and differentiation, and their mutation plays a major, direct role in causing human cancer. For years, their precise function has been a mystery. One of the pathways Ras controls has recently been identified. It consists of a cascade of kinases (Raf, MEK and MAP kinases) that transmits signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. The role of Ras is remarkably simple: it recruits Raf from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Once in the membrane, Raf is activated and the kinase cascade is initiated. Is this the whole story?