Here, the expression levels of p16, p21 and p53 proteins were significantly up‐regulated in Bmi‐1‐deficient mice compared with the WT, suggesting that the premature IDD caused by Bmi‐1 deficiency in mice is related to the deficient inhibition of p16 and p53 signalling pathways. This evidence concerns the gene BMI1 and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.