AF 6 q 21 , a Novel Partner of the MLL Gene in t ( 6 ; 11 ) ( q 21 ; q 23 ) , Defines a Forkhead Transcriptional

Fusion genes implicating the MLL gene have been recently FH family members whose genes are already known to be demonstrated in various 11q23 chromosomal abnormalities involved in chromosomal translocations of human maligin human hematopoietic malignancies. We analyzed a nancies, AFX and FKHR. Strikingly, in these translocations t(6;11)(q21;q23) translocation detected in a secondary acute the breakpoints are located at the same position within the myeloblastic leukemia. This translocation results in fusion FH domains. Therefore, AF6q21, AFX, and FKHR could define of the MLL gene on 11q23 to a previously unknown gene on a new FH subfamily particularly involved in human maligchromosome 6 that differs from the previously reported MLL nancies. partner gene AF6q. The novel gene, named AF6q21, encodes q 1997 by The American Society of Hematology. a forkhead (FH) protein with strong similarities to the two