In addition, we observed an association between increased Shh, Gli1, Smo, and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression in BMSC-supported MDS blasts in vitro, suggesting an important role for Shh signaling in the survival advantage of MDS cells, which may provide novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. The gene discussed is DNMT1; the disease is myelodysplastic syndrome.