Genome-wide functions of PML-RARα in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

PML-RAR (retinoic acid receptor) a is the hallmark protein of acute promyelocytic leukaemia, a highly malignant subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia that accounts for approximately 10% of all AML cases. Recently, several studies have been set out to obtain a comprehensive genome-wide view of the molecular actions of this chimeric protein. In this review, we highlight the new insights that arose from these studies, in particular focussing on newly identified PML-RAR alpha target genes, its interplay with RXR and deregulation of epigenetic modifications. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 554-558. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6606095 www.bjcancer.com Published online 18 January 2011 (C) 2011 Cancer Research UK