Background information
IGSF11 is also known as BTIGSF (brain and testis-specific immunoglobulin superfamily protein) or VSIG3 (V-set and immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 3) and is a 431 amino acid protein that is expressed as three isoforms. IGSF11 is highly expressed in testis and ovary and is also expressed in brain, kidney and skeletal muscle, localized to the cellular membrane as a single-pass membrane protein. IGSF11 is an immunoglobulin with V-type and C2-type domains that function in molecular recognition. When IGSF11 is in the trans position, it plays an important role in cell-cell adhesion via both homophilic and heterophilic interactions with other molecules. These cell–cell interactions are also thought to be important for neuronal cell interactions, such as neuron–neuron or neuron–glia interactions, which are important for the development and function of the central nervous system. In addition, IGSF11 might also be involved interactions between Sertoli cells and spermatocytes, which are important associations during spermatogenesis. The IGSF11 gene is commonly upregulated in gastric cancer and IGSF11 is highly expressed in many types of human tumors, indicating that it may be useful as a target for immunotherapy.
