Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
09:08

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer

Published on: January 12, 2020

Notch signaling in development and cancer

Victoria Bolós1, Joaquín Grego-Bessa, José Luis de la Pompa

  • 1Departmento de Inmunología y Oncología, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.

Endocrine Reviews
|April 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Notch signaling, a conserved cell communication pathway, regulates development and can be oncogenic or tumor suppressive. Its context-dependent outcomes are crucial for understanding therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Cancer biology

Background:

  • Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism regulating fundamental cellular processes.
  • Dysregulation of Notch signaling is implicated in various pathological conditions, including cancer.
  • Understanding Notch's role is critical for both normal development and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Notch signaling in vertebrate development, focusing on cell fate specification and tissue patterning.
  • To examine the molecular mechanisms of Notch-mediated neoplasias, including its dual role as an oncogene and tumor suppressor.
  • To highlight the context-dependent nature of Notch signaling and its implications for therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Notch signaling in vertebrate development.
  • Analysis of molecular data pertaining to Notch in various cancers.
  • Synthesis of information on signaling pathway integration and specificity.

Main Results:

  • Notch signaling is pivotal in central nervous system, cardiovascular, endocrine development, and somitogenesis.
  • Notch can function as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in neoplastic diseases.
  • The outcome of Notch signaling is highly dependent on signal strength, timing, cell type, and biological context.

Conclusions:

  • Notch signaling's diverse roles in development and disease underscore its complexity.
  • Context-specific understanding of Notch signaling is essential for predicting its effects.
  • Further research into Notch pathway integration and specificity may yield novel therapeutic targets.

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

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 until 1985...
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 until 1985...
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...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...