The MAGEA family is comprised of 12 highly homologous genes clustered at Xq28. The genes are characterized by the presence of a conserved domain (MHD, MAGE Homology Domain).

MAGEA3 has been reported to be expressed in in a wide range of tumors at the mRNA and at the protein level.

Spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses against MAGEA3 have been detected in cancer patients. Antigen-specific immune responses can be induced by immunization with MAGEA3.

MAGE family proteins bind to and activate RING E3 ubiquitin ligases. MAGE-A proteins interact with p53 proteins and may block the association of p53 with its cognate sites in chromatin.