Synovial Sarcoma, X Breakpoint 5 (SSX5)

SSX5 belongs to the family of highly homologous synovial sarcoma X (SSX) breakpoint proteins. These proteins may function as transcriptional repressors. They are also capable of eliciting spontaneously humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients, and are potentially useful targets in cancer vaccine-based immunotherapy. SSX1, SSX2 and SSX4 genes have been involved in the t(X;18) translocation characteristically found in all synovial sarcomas. This gene appears not to be involved in this type of chromosome translocation. Two transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene.SSX5 encodes a deduced 188-amino acid protein that shares approximately 80% sequence identity with SSX1, SSX2, SSX3, and SSX4 . SSX5 was strongly expressed in 1 of 12 melanoma cell lines tested.