Menin–MLL binding interaction

The **menin–MLL binding interaction** refers to the direct physical association between menin, a scaffold protein encoded by the MEN1 gene, and mixed lineage leukemia proteins (most notably MLL1/KMT2A), which are histone methyltransferases. This protein-protein interface is critical for regulating epigenetic modifications and controlling gene expression programs involved in cell fate determination. Disruption of this interaction—such as by small-molecule inhibitors—has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in cancers driven by aberrant activity of the menin–MLL axis, particularly acute leukemias with chromosomal translocations involving MLL genes. High-affinity small molecules have been developed that bind specifically to menin at its MLL-binding site and block this pathogenic partnership.

Other names

Menin–mixed lineage leukemia protein interactionMenin–MLL1 interactionMEN1–MLL binding interface

Inhibition of the menin–MLL protein–protein interaction to disrupt oncogenic gene expression programs