Definition

A gene that makes a protein that helps control cell growth and cell division. Mutations (changes) in the promyelocytic leukemia gene can occur when a piece of the chromosome containing the promyelocytic leukemia gene breaks off and joins with a gene called RARA on another chromosome. These changes may cause too many immature white blood cells to build up in the blood and bone marrow. This can lead to an aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia called acute promyelocytic leukemia. The promyelocytic leukemia gene is a type of tumor suppressor gene. Also called PML gene.