Biology:MAGEA3

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Short description: Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens


A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices.
Generic protein structure example

Melanoma-associated antigen 3 (MAGE-A3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAGEA3 gene.[1][2][3]

Genetics

This gene is a member of the melanoma-associated antigen gene family. The members of this family encode proteins with 50 to 80% sequence identity to each other. The promoters and first exons of the MAGEA genes show considerable variability, suggesting that the existence of this gene family enables the same function to be expressed under different transcriptional controls. The MAGEA genes are clustered at chromosomal location Xq28. They have been implicated in some hereditary disorders, such as dyskeratosis congenita.[3]

Function and Clinical relevance

The normal function of MAGE-A3 in healthy cells is unknown.[4] The presence of the antigen on tumor cells has been associated with worse prognosis. In one study, high levels of MAGE-A3 in lung adenocarcinoma were associated with shorter survival.[5]

MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific protein, and has been identified on many tumors including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, hematologic malignancies, among others.[6] Currently, GlaxoSmithKline is developing a cancer vaccine targeting MAGE-A3. The vaccine is a fusion protein of MAGE-A3 and Haemophilus influenzae protein D, combined with a proprietary immunoadjuvant.[7]

References

  1. "A gene encoding an antigen recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes on a human melanoma". Science 254 (5038): 1643–7. Jan 1992. doi:10.1126/science.1840703. PMID 1840703. 
  2. "The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family is clustered in the chromosomal band Xq28". Genomics 29 (3): 725–31. Mar 1996. doi:10.1006/geno.1995.9945. PMID 8575766. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Entrez Gene: MAGEA3 melanoma antigen family A, 3". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=4102. 
  4. "Vaccination therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: review of agents in phase III development". Annals of Oncology 23 (6): 1387–1393. Dec 2011. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdr564. PMID 22156658. 
  5. Ali O. Gure; Ramon Chua; Barbara Williamson; Mithat Gonen; Cathy A. Ferrera; Sacha Gnjatic; Gerd Ritter; Andrew J.G. Simpson et al. (Nov 2005). "Cancer-Testis Genes Are Coordinately Expressed and Are Markers of Poor Outcome in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer". Clinical Cancer Research 11 (22): 8055–8062. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-05-1203. PMID 16299236. 
  6. Corporate Comms. "New data on MAGE-A3 cancer immunotherapy support potential novel options of treating non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma". Us.gsk.com. http://us.gsk.com/html/media-news/pressreleases/2008/2008_us_pressrelease_10076.htm. 
  7. "Patent US20100008980 - Use of MAGE A3-Protein D Fusion Antigen in Immunotherapy Combined with ... - Google Patents". 2008-01-08. http://www.google.com/patents/US20100008980. 

Further reading