Consentient with a role for MYC as a negative regulator of miR-29a, over expression of MYC in AML-derived cell lines resulted in suppression of miR-29a with induction of AKT2 expression while introduction of miR-29a into cells blocked MYC expression and AKT2 levels were reduced. Here, AKT2 is linked to acute myeloid leukemia.