X Antigen Family, Member 1A (XAGE1A)

Brinkmann et al. (1999) identified 3 related genes, which they termed XAGEs, by homology walking using the dbEST database. ESTs of the XAGE group were found in cDNA libraries from testis, Ewing sarcoma , alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, fetal tissues, and germ cell tumors by database analysis.XAGE1A is 1 of 5 copies of the XAGE1 gene. The protein shows strong homology with members of the GAGE/PAGE family in the C terminus and has a potential transmembrane domain in the N terminus. Expression analyses revealed high expression in normal testis and low expression in lung and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Expression was also found in 7 of 8 Ewing cell lines, in 4 of 9 Ewing sarcoma patient samples, and in 1 of 1 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma tumor sample.