In previous studies, we demonstrated HOXB7 constitutive expression in melanoma primary lesions and cell lines whereby it is able to bind to the promoter and activate the transcription of bFGF. 8 Also, by using a dominant-negative PBX mutant (PBXNT), we showed that HOXB7 requires PBX as a co-factor for its oncogenic activity.9 The HOX/PBX binding interaction, mediated through a specific and highly conserved hydrophobic hexapeptide,10,11 strongly increases HOX/DNA affinity. The gene discussed is HOXB7; the disease is melanoma.