The Raf activation–inactivation cycle. A model depicting the Raf kinases in a presignaling inactive state, a signaling active state, and a postsignaling inactive state is shown (see text for details). GDP, Guanosine diphosphate; GTP, guanosine triphosphate; RBD, Ras-binding domain; CRD, cysteine-rich domain; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase.