Figure 1.

Common BRAF codon 600 missense mutations found in melanocytic lesions. Wild typeBRAF encoding valine at codon 600 with dipyrimidines highlighted in blue with *. Dipyrimidines are common sites of UV mutagenesis resulting in C-T transitions and are prevalent surrounding BRAF codon 600. The Single mutation BRAF^V600E T-A transversion mutation is the most common mutation in melanoma and is not typical of UV mutagenesis. Tandem mutations are commonly found in BRAF at codon 600 and include BRAF^V600E, BRAF^V600R, BRAF^V600K, and BRAF^V600D. All the Tandem mutations except BRAF^V600D contain one C-T transition at a dipyrimidine site within the tandem mutation. The surrounding dipyrimidine sites and common tandem mutations highlight the possibility of UV mutagenesis and error-prone polymerase incorporation of incorrect bases at BRAF codon 600. BRAF, v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B.