Regulation of HOXA9 activity by predominant expression of DACH1 against C/EBPα and GATA-1 in myeloid leukemia with MLL-AF9

► MLL-AF9 directly induces the expression of DACH. ► DACH1 enhances the colony-forming capacity and blocks the differentiation of myeloid cells. ► DACH1 acts as a coactivator with HOXA9. ► DACH1 could be down-regulated by C/EBPα and GATA-1 during myeloid differentiation. ► Novel mechanism of myeloid leukemogenesis mediated by DACH1.