| Modification Notes |
STELLA, also known as Dppa3 and Pcg7, is a member of the developmental pluripotency-associated protein family thought to play a key role in embryonic germ cell development. Expressed highly in fetal ovary with lower expression found in the testis and thymus, STELLA contributes to germ cell differentiation and acts as a maternal factor regulating early embryogensis. In addition to contributing to normal embryonic development, STELLA is overexpressed in testicular germ cell tumors, indicating a possible role in tumor formation. The elevated levels of STELLA observed in carcinoma cells suggest that it may be a novel candidate for early cancer detection. |