Finally, our results do not exclude direct effects of Tgif1 on gene expression or indirect effects through interaction with other TALE homeodomain proteins such as MEIS113 As chemical inhibitors are available for TGF‐β and RAR signalling, it should be possible to dissect the unique contributions of these pathways to the altered Tgif1 functions in leukaemia development. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is leukemia.