Deletion of a homeobox gene in myeloid leukemias with a deletion in chromosome 2.

Mouse myeloid leukemias are characterized by a frequent deletion in one chromosome number 2. We now show that there is a deletion of one copy of the Hox-4.1 homeobox gene in the myeloid leukemias with this deletion in chromosome 2. It is suggested that deletion of this homeobox gene plays a role in determining the abnormal developmental program in myeloid leukemia.