MEN1

Menin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MEN1 gene. Menin is a putative tumor suppressor associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1 syndrome).

In vitro studies have shown that menin is localized to the nucleus, possesses two functional nuclear localization signals, and inhibits transcriptional activation by JunD. However, the function of this protein is not known. Two messages have been detected on northern blots but the larger message has not been characterized. Two variants of the shorter transcript have been identified where alternative splicing affects the coding sequence. Five variants where alternative splicing takes place in the 5' UTR have also been identified.

History

In 1988, researchers at Uppsala University Hospital and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm mapped the MEN1 gene to the long arm of chromosome 11. The gene was finally cloned in 1997.

Genomics

The gene is located on long arm of chromosome 11 (11q13) between base pairs 64,570,985 and 64,578,765. It has 10 exons and encodes a 610-amino acid protein.

MEAI

5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI, 5-MeO-AI, or Chaperon) is a psychoactive small molecule belonging to the aminoindane class with a mechanism of action described by one patent as being mediated by binding to the dopamine D₃ receptor.

It was first prepared by Schering AG in 1956.David Nutt and Amanda Feilding filed a patent application for the drug claiming that it gives people a pleasant intoxication as well as prevent binge drinking.

MEAI has been available through grey market sources since 2011. At least 2 journalists tried it on themselves and reported to the public: Michael Slezak from New Scientist and Brie Traits from BBC3. Apparently, Nutt has also tried it himself.

The idea of alcohol substitution got public attention a year prior to the announcement of chaperon but apparently, chaperon innovates in that it can be consumed together with alcohol without ill effect.

MEAI is banned in some countries as a structural isomer of methcathinone.

See also

References