Homeobox genes code for transcription factors which have a strong impact on cellular behavior, including differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Therefore, upon deregulation these genes may turn into oncogenes, contributing substantially to cancerogenesis. Among hematopoietic malignancies, including leukemias and lymphomas, several homeo-oncogenes have been described. Many of them have been identified in hematopoietic cell lines, which serve as useful tools for oncogene hunting and characterization. Here, we describe molecular methods for analysis and quantification of dysregulated homeobox gene expression in leukemia/lymphoma cell lines.
