The functional cDNA coding sequence is derived from the breakpoint cluster region 3 (bcr-3) isoform transcript of the RARA/PML fusion gene resulting from the characteristic t(15;17)(q22;q11.2-q12) translocation associated with ~90% of human cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML). The bcr-3 isoform of the chimeric gene joins exon 2 of the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene in-frame to PML exons 4-8. Expression is targeted specifically to early myeloid-lineage cells by the promoter and 5' regulatory elements of the human cathepsin G gene. Two lines were created (2544 and 2683).