B melanoma antigen 3 (BAGE3)

Function

• unknown
• candidate gene encoding tumor antigens

Structure

belongs to the BAGE family

Expression

• not expressed in normal tissues except in testis

Pathology

expressed in melanoma, bladder & lung carcinomas

Genetics

• ancestral BAGE gene was generated by juxtacentromeric reshuffling of the MLL3 gene
• the BAGE family was expanded by juxtacentromeric movement &/or acrocentric exchanges
• BAGE family is composed of expressed genes that map to the juxtacentromeric regions of chromosomes 13 & 21 & of unexpressed gene fragments that scattered in the juxtacentromeric regions of several chromosomes, including chromosomes 9, 13, 18 & 21

More general terms

• melanoma associated antigen (MAGE)
• testis-specific protein

Database

• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q86Y29.html