Well-characterized chromosomal translocations, such as t(8:21) in core-binding factor AML (CBF-AML) or t(15:17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) result in the formation of chimeric proteins (RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and PML-RARA, respectively), which alter the normal maturation process of myeloid precursor cells. The gene discussed is PML; the disease is acute promyelocytic leukemia.