This gene is a protooncogene that encodes a protein tyrosine kinase involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell division, adhesion, differentiation, and response to stress. The Abl oncogene was initially identified as the viral transforming gene of Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV). The major translational product of c-Abl has been identified as a protein with tyrosine kinase activity and an SH2 domain. The Abl oncogene is implicated in several human leukemias including 90-95% of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), 20-25% of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 2-5% of pediatric ALL.
