Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Real-time Bioluminescence Imaging of Notch Signaling Dynamics during Murine Neurogenesis
Published on: December 12, 2019
Notch signaling in development and disease
Emil M Hansson1, Urban Lendahl, Gavin Chapman
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden.
Abstract:
Cells in multicellular organisms need to decipher extracellular cues into appropriate responses including correct differentiation choices. A considerable portion of this information is relayed through a surprisingly small number of signaling pathways, which are highly evolutionarily conserved and used in many different cell types. This "ivy league" of signaling mechanisms comprises the Wnt/wingless, BMP/TGF-beta, Sonic Hedgehog, receptor tyrosine kinases, nuclear receptors, JAK/STAT and, the subject of this review, the Notch signaling pathway. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the Notch signaling pathway. The role of Notch in various types of cancers is discussed in the accompanying articles in this issue of SCBI.
Insights
The Notch signaling pathway is a crucial conserved mechanism that helps cells interpret external signals for differentiation. This review provides an overview of Notch signaling in multicellular organisms.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular signaling pathways
Background:
- Multicellular organisms rely on extracellular cues for cellular responses like differentiation.
- A conserved set of signaling pathways, including Notch, relay critical information between cells.
- These pathways are essential for development and cellular decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the Notch signaling pathway.
- To highlight the significance of Notch signaling in cellular communication and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Notch signaling pathway research.
- Analysis of conserved signaling mechanisms in multicellular organisms.
Main Results:
- Notch signaling is a fundamental pathway involved in cell-cell communication.
- It plays a vital role in cell differentiation and fate determination.
- The pathway is highly conserved across species and utilized in diverse cell types.
Conclusions:
- The Notch pathway is a key component of the conserved signaling network essential for multicellular life.
- Understanding Notch signaling is critical for deciphering cellular responses to environmental cues.
- Further exploration of Notch's role, particularly in cancer, is warranted (as discussed in accompanying articles).
Related Concept Videos
Notch Signaling Pathway
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 until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway
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 until 1985...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
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...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

