In addition to these reports implicating BAP1 in myeloid transformation, the present results identify the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ASXL1-MT/BAP1 complex induce myeloid transformation; BAP1 plays a necessary role in maintaining aberrant posterior HOXA expression in ASXL1-mutant leukemia and in sustaining their leukemic proliferation. The gene discussed is MCAT; the disease is leukemia.