Background of the antigen
Paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs) are rare syndromes that are caused by, or associated with, an underlying neoplasm. The most common neoplasm among young male patients is testicular cancer, but the leading cause among other patients is lung cancer. Most PNDs are caused by an immune response against onconeural antigens, causing progressive neurological damage. The paraneoplastic antigen MA family contains three known members: MA1, MA2 and MA3. MA1, also designated neuron- and testis-specific protein 1, is a nucleolar protein in normal cells but localizes to the cytoplasm of tumor cells. MA2, also designated onconeuronal antigen MA2, is a nucleolar protein expressed in brain and testis. MA3 is highly expressed in brain and testis and is expressed at low levels in heart, trachea and kidney.
