Cancer/Testis Antigen Family 45, Member A5 (CT45A5)

CT45A5 represents one of a cluster of six similar genes located on the q arm of chromosome X. The genes in this cluster encode members of the cancer/testis (CT) family of antigens, and are distinct from other CT antigens. These antigens are thought to be novel therapeutic targets for human cancers. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. A related pseudogene has been identified on chromosome 5. The CT45 genes appeared to be products of a recent gene duplication. RT-PCR and EST analysis revealed 3 CT45 transcript variants that differ in their 3-prime ends and represent the accumulated expression of the CT45 genes. All 3 transcripts encode a deduced 189-amino acid protein that shares significant similarity with DDX26B, SAGE, and DDX26. RT-PCR detected high CT45 expression in testis and variable expression in several cell lines.