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MAGEA3
Melanoma-associated antigen 3 (MAGE-A3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''MAGEA3'' gene. Genetics This gene is a member of the melanoma-associated antigen gene family. The members of this family encode proteins with 50 to 80% sequence identity to each other. The promoters and first exons of the MAGEA genes show considerable variability, suggesting that the existence of this gene family enables the same function to be expressed under different transcriptional controls. The MAGEA genes are clustered at chromosomal location Xq28. They have been implicated in some hereditary disorders, such as dyskeratosis congenita. Function and Clinical relevance The normal function of MAGE-A3 in healthy cells is unknown. The presence of the antigen on tumor cells has been associated with worse prognosis. In one study, high levels of MAGE-A3 in lung adenocarcinoma were associated with shorter survival. MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific protein, and has been identified on many tumors i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Melanoma-associated Antigen
The mammalian members of the MAGE (melanoma-associated antigen) gene family were originally described as completely silent in normal adult tissues, with the exception of male germ cells and, for some of them, placenta. By contrast, these genes were expressed in various kinds of tumors. MAGE-like genes have also been identified in non-mammalian species, like the zebrafish or Drosophila melanogaster. Although no MAGE homologous sequences have been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Schizosaccharomyces pombe, MAGE sequences have been found in several vegetal species, including Arabidopsis thaliana. The only region of homology shared by all of the members of the family is a stretch of about 200 amino acids which has been named the MAGE conserved domain. The MAGE conserved domain is usually located close to the C-terminus, although it can also be found in a more central position in some proteins. The MAGE conserved domain is generally present as a single ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |