MNAT1

MNAT1 encodes the Menage a Trois Homolog 1 protein, a core component of the CDK-activating kinase (CAK) complex. It regulates cell cycle progression by phosphorylating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), primarily CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6, to promote their activation. MNAT1-mediated CAK activity is essential for G1/S and G2/M transitions, ensuring proper DNA replication and mitosis.
Aberrant MNAT1 expression correlates with tumorigenesis, particularly in breast, lung, and colorectal cancers, where overactivation of CAK signaling drives uncontrolled proliferation. Current research focuses on targeting MNAT1-CAK interactions using small-molecule inhibitors to disrupt CDK activation, with preclinical compounds showing promising anti-tumor efficacy in cell line models.