Analysis of the Size of the Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Gene Family

Five members of the human CEA gene family [human pregnancy-specific
β1-glycoprotein (PSβG), hsCGM1, 2, 3 and 4] have been isolated and
identified through sequencing the exons containing their N-terminal
domains. Sequence comparisons with published data for CEA and
related molecules reveal the existence of highly-conserved gene
subgroups within the CEA family. Together with published data
eleven CEA family members have so far been determined. Apart from
the highly conserved coding sequences, these genes also show strong
sequence conservation in their introns, indicating a duplication of
whole gene units during the evolution of the CEA gene family.