在脊椎动物中，编码一类转录因子的基因被称为同源盒基因，它们在四条独立的染色体上以a、b、c和d的形式存在。这些蛋白的表达在胚胎发育过程中受到时空调控。这个基因是7号染色体上一个簇的一部分，编码一个DNA结合转录因子，它可以调节基因的表达、形态发生和分化。该基因与果蝇的腹部-B（Abd-B）基因高度相似导致该基因与nup98基因融合的特异性易位事件与髓系白血病的发生有关。在该基因与上游同源盒A10（HOXA10）基因之间存在阅读转录。[ RefSeq，MAR 2011 ]
In vertebrates, the genes encoding the class of transcription factors called homeobox genes are found in clusters named A, B, C, and D on four separate chromosomes. Expression of these proteins is spatially and temporally regulated during embryonic development. This gene is part of the A cluster on chromosome 7 and encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor which may regulate gene expression, morphogenesis, and differentiation. This gene is highly similar to the abdominal-B (Abd-B) gene of Drosophila. A specific translocation event which causes a fusion between this gene and the NUP98 gene has been associated with myeloid leukemogenesis. Read-through transcription exists between this gene and the upstream homeobox A10 (HOXA10) gene.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]