G Antigen 2E (GAGE2E)

GAGE2E gene is contained within a 9.5-kb GAGE repeat. The GAGE2E gene contains 5 exons spanning about 6.3 kb and has a LINE insertion. The GAGE2 to -6 cDNAs differ mainly by single nucleotide substitutions that are scattered throughout the sequence. The deduced GAGE2 protein has 116 amino acids. The authors defined the antigenic peptide encoded by GAGE1 and found that GAGE2 also encodes it. RT-PCR using primers common to GAGE1 to -6 found no expression of these genes in any normal adult tissue tested except testis. RT-PCR using primers specific to both GAGE1 and GAGE2 found that at least 1 of these genes was expressed in 25% of sarcomas, 24% of melanomas, 19% of nonsmall cell lung carcinomas, 19% of head and neck tumors, and 12% of bladder tumors; GAGE1 and GAGE2 were not expressed in colorectal carcinomas and renal cell carcinomas.