This gene belongs to the non-CT (non cancer/testis) subgroup of the melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) superfamily. The encoded protein is likely associated with apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, growth inhibition or cell differentiation. The protein may be involved in the atRA (all-trans retinoic acid) signaling through the STAT1-alpha (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1-alpha) pathway. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2013]