Bmi1 is a Bonafide Oncogene with Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewal Credentials

Increasing evidence shows that a variety of cancers arise from the transformation of normal stem cells into cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are thought to sustain cancer progression, invasion, metastasis. Studies using Bmi1 antibodies have shown that the chemoresistance of CSCs are in part due to the activation of Bmi1 polycomb ring finger oncogene, previously known as B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (Bmi1), a stem cell factor, and a polycomb group family member of proteins, Bmi1 is reported to regulate the proliferation activity of normal, stem, and progenitor cells.

Additional studies with Bmi1 antibodies have shown that Bmi1 also influences cell cycle, immortalization, and senescence (1). Increased levels of Bmi 1 have been detected by anti-Bmi1 antibodies in cervical carcinoma patient serum samples and cell lines by ELISA and Western blot (2). Numerous studies using anti Bmi1 antibodies demonstrate that Bmi1, is upregulated in a variety of cancers, and has a positive correlation with clinical grade/stage and poor prognosis of the disease (3). The exact mechanism of action by which Bmi1 controls the cellular events is not fully understood; hence Bmi1 is an attractive therapeutic target in management of several cancers. 

1. PMID: 16963837
2. PMID: 22132147
3. PMID: 20805665

Novus Biologicals offers Bmi1 reagents for your research needs including:

• Bmi1 primary antibodies
• Bmi1 lysates
• Bmi1 peptides and proteins
• Bmi1 RNAi