The oncogenic potential of an activated Hox-2.4 homeobox gene in mouse fibroblasts.

Abstract

The homeobox gene Hox-2.4 is transcriptionally activated in cells of the mouse myeloid leukemia WEHI-3B. The constitutive Hox-2.4 expression in WEHI-3B cells is due to insertion of a transposable element belonging to the family of intracisternal A particles. In this study, we demonstrated the oncogenic potential of this activated homeobox gene. NIH 3T3 fibroblast clones bearing the activated Hox-2.4 gene produced fibrosarcomas in nude mice.