Bmi1 is a member of the Polycomb group of transcription repressors that was initially identified as an oncogene cooperating with c-myc in a murine model of lymphoma.1 Bmi1 has a RING finger at the amino-terminus and a central helix-turn-helix domain. The RING finger domain is required for the generation of lymphoma in Eμ-Bmi1 transgenic mice. Postnatal mice lacking Bmi1 exhibit defects in hematopoiesis, skeletal patterning, neurological functions, and development of the cerebellum.2 It has recently been shown that Bmi1 is necessary for efficient self-renewing cell divisions of adult HSCs as well as adult peripheral and central nervous system neural stem cells, but that it is less critical for the generation of differentiated progeny.3 BMI1 may also play a key role in some types of cancer. Gene-profiling studies suggest that Bmi1 modulates HSC self-renewal through the regulation of genes important for stem cell fate decisions, as well as survival genes, antiproliferative genes, and stem cell–associated genes including p16Ink4a and p19Arf.4 Bmi1 could be used as a molecular target to induce senescence in cancer stem cells.
REFERENCES
1. Park, I. K. et al: Nature 423:302, 2003.
2. Alkema, M. et al: Oncogene 15:899, 1997.
3. van der Lugt, N. M. et al: Genes Dev. 8:757, 1994.
4. Jacob, J. et al: Nature 397:164, 1999.
Products are for research use only. They are not intended for human, animal, or diagnostic applications.
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Antigen: | E. coli-expressed recombinant human Bmi1 protein fragments. |
Isotype: | Mouse Monoclonal IgG1 |
Species & predicted species cross- reactivity ( ): | Specifically detects endogenous levels of human Bmi1proteins. |
Applications & Suggested starting dilutions: | WB 1:1000 IP n/d IHC (Paraffin) n/d ICC n/d FACS n/d |
Predicted Molecular Weight of protein: | 43 kDa |
Specificity/Sensitivity: | Does not cross-react with other related proteins. |
Storage: | Store at -20°C, 4°C for frequent use. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. |
*Optimal working dilutions must be determined by end user.