This gene is a member of the XAGE subfamily, which belongs to the GAGE family. The GAGE genes are expressed in a variety of tumors and in some fetal and reproductive tissues. This gene is expressed in placenta and fetal liver/spleen, and may function in inhibiting cancer cell growth. The protein encoded by this gene shares a sequence similarity with other GAGE/PAGE proteins. Because of the expression pattern and the sequence similarity, this protein also belongs to a family of CT (cancer-testis) antigens. Alternative splicing of this gene generates 2 transcript variants differing in the 5' UTR. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].