Melanoma Antigen Family D2 (MAGED2)

The human protein contains several putative nuclear localization signals and potential phosphorylation sites for protein kinases. It shares 86% and 43% overall sequence identity with the rat ortholog and human MAGED1 , respectively. Northern blot analysis detected a 2.2-kb transcript in human brain, skeletal muscle, heart, placenta, and pancreas, and in lower amounts in kidney and lung. Expression was detectable in several human brain regions. In situ hybridization in rat brain showed marked expression in hippocampus, cerebellum, choroid plexus, and in various nuclei of the hypothalamus and brainstem. In rat testis, MAGED2 was detected only in the interstitium, most probably in the Leydig cells, whereas no expression was detected in the tubuli.