Bmi1 marks distinct castration-resistant luminal progenitor cells competent for prostate regeneration and tumour initiation

Abstract

The polycomb repressor protein Bmi1 has a role in self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Here, the authors use lineage tracing to show that Bmi-expressing cells are a distinct population of cells, primarily found in the luminal compartment, which is castration resistant, can initiate cancer and regenerate prostate.