RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression of multiple c-Myc target genes (Bcl-2, MDM2, Cdc25a, ELK-1, SLC7A11, etc.)was reduced to various degrees in two AML cell lines with IDH2 knockdown (Additional file 3: Fig. S5d), while increased in HL-60 cells with overexpressing IDH2, further supporting the conclusion that IDH2 regulates c-Myc expression and affect its functions. Here, ELK1 is linked to acute myeloid leukemia.