Background of the antigen
Septin 14, also known as SEPT14, is a 432 amino acid protein that belongs to the septin family. The highly conserved septin family of GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins is implicated in membrane transport, apoptosis, cell polarity, cell cycle regulation, cytokinesis and other cellular functions. Septins polymerize into heterooligomeric protein complexes that form filaments, and can associate with cellular membranes, actin filaments and microtubules. Septin 14 has a GTPase domain followed by a C-terminal coiled-coil domain characteristic of group II septins. Septin 14 interacted with all septins except those that are members of its phylogenetic cluster, including itself. Septin 14 shares highest identity (67%) with Septin 10. Expressed in testis and more weakly in fetal liver, tonsil and thymus, the Septin 14 protein is not detected in testicular cancer or other normal or cancer cell lines. The Septin 14 gene is conserved in chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse and rat, and maps to human chromosome 7p11.2.
