Myeloid and erythroid nuclear termination stage specific protein

Myeloid and erythroid nuclear termination stage specific protein (MENT) is a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors and participates in DNA and chromatin condensation. [cite journal |author=McGowan S, Buckle AM, Irving JA, "et al" |title=X-ray crystal structure of MENT: evidence for functional loop-sheet polymers in chromatin condensation |journal=EMBO J. |volume=25 |issue=13 |pages=3144–55 |year=2006 |month=Jul |pmid=16810322 |pmc=1500978 |doi=10.1038/sj.emboj.7601201 |url=] Alongside its ability to condense chromatin, MENT is also an effective inhibitor of the proteases cathepsin K, cathepsin L and cathepsin V, all of which are cysteine proteases. [cite journal |author=Irving JA, Shushanov SS, Pike RN, "et al" |title=Inhibitory activity of a heterochromatin-associated serpin (MENT) against papain-like cysteine proteinases affects chromatin structure and blocks cell proliferation |journal=J. Biol. Chem. |volume=277 |issue=15 |pages=13192–201 |year=2002 |month=Apr |pmid=11821386 |doi=10.1074/jbc.M108460200 |url=] As such although MENT is structurally classified as a member of the serpin family it is functionally termed a "cross class inhibitor" as it is a cysteine rather than a serine protease inhibitor.

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