Human tumor rejection antigens MAGE.
Characterization of the MAGE genes has facilitated a molecular approach to identification of the genes encoding tumor-rejection antigens expressed on human cancer cells. MAGE proteins are normal tissue antigens compartmentalized in testicular cells that play an important role in the early phase of spermatogenesis. MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, and -6 genes are preferentially expressed in many different cancers at both the mRNA and protein levels. More than half of human cancers of various histologic type express at least one of these MAGE genes. Demethylation induces MAGE antigens in cells, suggesting that MAGE genes are important developmentally regulated genes under methylating control. Thus, genetic instability in cells causing loss of this methylating control could result in the preferential expression of MAGE genes in cancer cells. Therefore, MAGE gene products may be appropriate target molecules for development of new cancer vaccine.
Itoh
K
K
Department of Immunology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka.
Hayashi
A
A
Nakao
M
M
Hoshino
T
T
Seki
N
N
Shichijo
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; C095203:MAGEA6 protein, human; C072012:MAGEB2 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins