A disease characterized by the occurrence of multiple endocrine tumors, Multiple
Endocrine Neoplasia type 1, or MEN-1, is found to be the result of mutations in the
MEN-1 gene. The MEN-1 gene encodes a protein called menin, which has been puzzling
pathologists and cell biologists for years. The intricacy surrounding this protein has led
to much effort in research. Recently, menin is shown to regulate many crucial functions
in the cell by interacting with other protein factors. These interactions, however, are not
well characterized, and the actual functions of menin have not been confirmed.
Nevertheless, some recent discoveries and speculations have shed light on the function of
menin, suggesting that it is a tumor-suppressor that prevents the onset of the MEN-1
disease. A case study of a 35 year-old Hispanic male diagnosed with MEN-1 is also
presented
