Inactivation of menin, a Smad3-interacting protein, blocks transforming growth factor type β signaling

H Kaji, L Canaff, JJ Lebrun… - Proceedings of the …, 2001 - National Acad Sciences
H Kaji, L Canaff, JJ Lebrun, D Goltzman, GN Hendy
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2001National Acad Sciences
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder
characterized by endocrine tumors of parathyroids, pancreatic islets, and anterior pituitary.
The MEN1 gene encodes a nuclear protein called menin. In MEN1 carriers inactivating
mutations give rise to a truncated product consistent with menin acting as a tumor
suppressor gene. However, the role of menin in tumorigenesis and its physiological
functions are not known. Here, we show that menin inactivation by antisense RNA …
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by endocrine tumors of parathyroids, pancreatic islets, and anterior pituitary. The MEN1 gene encodes a nuclear protein called menin. In MEN1 carriers inactivating mutations give rise to a truncated product consistent with menin acting as a tumor suppressor gene. However, the role of menin in tumorigenesis and its physiological functions are not known. Here, we show that menin inactivation by antisense RNA antagonizes transforming growth factor type β-mediated cell growth inhibition. Menin interacts with Smad3, and antisense menin suppresses transforming growth factor type β-induced and Smad3-induced transcriptional activity by inhibiting Smad3/4-DNA binding at specific transcriptional regulatory sites. These results implicate a mechanism of tumorigenesis by menin inactivation.
National Acad Sciences