Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Real-time Bioluminescence Imaging of Notch Signaling Dynamics during Murine Neurogenesis
10:25

Real-time Bioluminescence Imaging of Notch Signaling Dynamics during Murine Neurogenesis

Published on: December 12, 2019

8.2K

Arbiter of differentiation and death: Notch signaling meets apoptosis

L Miele1, B Osborne

  • 1Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA. lmiele@luc.edu

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|October 21, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Notch signaling, a key regulator of cell fate, influences cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. This review explores its role as a general "arbiter" of cell fate across various biological contexts.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Notch-ligand interactions are a conserved mechanism controlling cell fate decisions.
  • This pathway is crucial for cell differentiation in development and maturation.
  • Emerging evidence highlights Notch signaling's impact on proliferation and programmed cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of Notch receptors.
  • To discuss recent evidence linking Notch signaling to apoptotic cell death.
  • To explore the mechanisms and implications of Notch-regulated apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on Notch signaling.
  • Analysis of studies investigating Notch's role in cell death.
  • Synthesis of findings related to Notch receptor structure and function.

Main Results:

  • Notch signaling regulates not only differentiation but also proliferation and apoptosis.
  • The pathway acts as a central "arbiter" of cell fate depending on context.
  • Recent evidence strongly supports Notch's direct role in controlling apoptotic cell death.

Conclusions:

  • Notch signaling is a versatile regulator impacting cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis.
  • Understanding Notch-mediated apoptosis has broad implications for developmental, immune, neural, and cancer biology.
  • Further research into Notch signaling mechanisms is warranted for therapeutic applications.

More Related Videos

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors08:01

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors

Published on: February 28, 2017

8.4K
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

15.8K

Related Concept Videos

Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...
6.6K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.5K
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
15.3K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
79.8K
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.6K
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.3K