This provides the first evidence that chromosomal translocation results in altered target gene specificity of PAX3-FKHR and suggests a transcriptional target that may play a significant role in oncogenic activity and rhabdomyosarcoma development..     ///    "Previously, tumor-specific PAX3-FKHR has been shown to bind to DNA sequences normally recognized by wild-type PAX3 and to exhibit relatively enhanced transcriptional activity. "    ///    The DNA binding sites used to demonstrate that PAX3-FKHR is a more potent transcriptional activator than PAX3 have included recognition sequences for the paired domain of PAX3.     ///    "Tumor-specific PAX3-FKHR transcription factor, but not PAX3, activates the platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor.. "    ///    "In this report, we demonstrate the ability of PAX3-FKHR to activate the product of a growth control gene, platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFalphaR), by recognizing a paired-type homeodomain binding site located in the PDGFalphaR promoter. "