The human PNMA family: Novel neuronal proteins implicated in paraneoplastic neurological disease

Using sera from patients with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, several novel neuronal autoantigens such as the paraneoplastic Ma antigens (PNMA) have been identified. Here, we report the correction and completion of the previously published prototype member PNMA1, the brain and testis restricted expression of a third member (PNMA3) and the sequences for further partially uncharacterized members of this novel neuronal protein family. Murine and rat orthologs exist for this protein family. By analogy to the pro-apoptotic MOAP1, similar functional interactions may exist between members of the PNMA family and the bcl-2 family.