Membrane Spanning 4 Domains Subfamily A, Member 4E (MS4A4E)

Most MS4A genes, including MS4A4E, encode proteins with at least 4 potential transmembrane domains and N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains encoded by distinct exons.

By searching for additional genes in the MS4A complex on chromosome 11q12-q13, Liang et al. (2001) identified MS4A4E, MS4A10, and MS4A6E. The putative MS4A4E gene encodes a 220-amino acid protein that is 76% identical to MS4A4A, with high homology in the transmembrane regions and the intracellular N- and C- terminal domains. RT-PCR analysis failed to detect MS4A4E transcripts in any tissues or hemopoietic cell lines tested. Liang et al. (2001) proposed that expression may occur primarily during oncogenesis or embryogenesis.MS4A4E gene contains as least 7 exons and spans more than 23 kb.