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).

MAGEA12 has been reported to be expressed in hematologic, hepatobiliary, lung and melanocytic cancers at the mRNA level.

Spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses against MAGEA12 have been detected in cancer patients.

MAGE family proteins bind to and activate RING E3 ubiquitin ligases.