The molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia: Proto-oncogene expression and function in normal and neoplastic myeloid cells

Many of the genes that regulate normal myelopoiesis are just beginning to be identified, and recent scientific advances have provided insights into the mechanisms whereby these genes may be disrupted in neoplastic myeloid cells. This article reviews the structure and function of those proto-oncogenes and suppressor genes that may play a special role in the normal development of the myeloid lineages. The abnormalities in structure and function of those genes that map at or near chromosomal foci consistently altered in acute myeloid leukemias, myelodysplasia, and myeloproliferative disorders also are reviewed.