The mammalian Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) family comprises three members, RUNX1 (also designated AML-1, PEBP2αB, CBFA2), RUNX2 (also designated AML-3, PEBP2αA, CBFA1, Osf2) and RUNX3 (also designated AML-2, PEBPαC, CBFA3), and belongs to the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) family. RUNX family members are DNA-binding proteins that regulate the expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and cell cycle progression. RUNX3 is expressed in cells of hematopoietic origin, including myeloid and B-cell lines and spleen. By playing a role in controlling the growth and differentiation of gastric epithelial cells, RUNX3 is a strong candidate as a gastric cancer tumor suppressor. Specifically, hypermethylation inactivates the gene encoding RUNX3. The detection of hypermethylation at multiple regions within the RUNX3 CpG island may aid in the diagnosis and risk assessment of gastric cancer.Synonyms: AML2, Acute myeloid leukemia 2 protein, CBF-alpha-3, CBFA3, Core-binding factor subunit alpha-3, Oncogene AML-2, PEA2-alpha C, PEBP2-alpha C, PEBP2A3, Polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein 2 alpha C subunit, Runt-related transcription factor 3, SL3-3 enhancer factor 1 alpha C subunit, SL3/AKV core-binding factor alpha C subunit