Most of the genes of this family encode tumor specific antigens that are not expressed in normal adult tissues except testis.

Although the protein encoded by this gene shares strong homology with members of the MAGE family, it is expressed in almost all normal adult tissues.

This gene has been demonstrated to be involved in the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediated programmed cell death pathway.

[7] Maged1 plays a role in controlling the reward circuitry in the brain of mice that is responsible for addictive behaviors.

[8] More recently, it has been shown to play a role in drug addiction through an epigenetic mechanism involving the monoubiquitination of H2A, which represses gene expression via interaction with the deubiquitinase USP7.