Off the beaten pathway: the complex cross talk between Notch and NF-kappaB

Area of Science:

• Cellular signaling pathways
• Molecular biology
• Immunology

Background:

• The Notch pathway, a well-established signaling network, is now understood to involve complex non-canonical mechanisms.
• Emerging research highlights extensive cross-talk between Notch and other signaling pathways, crucial for various biological processes.
• This cross-talk is context-dependent, with its physiological relevance still under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the published evidence for Notch-NF-kappaB pathway cross-talk.
• To focus on the intricate interactions between Notch and NF-kappaB signaling in vertebrate models.
• To explore the complexity of these signaling networks in development, immunity, and cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published research on Notch-NF-kappaB interactions.
• Analysis of diverse experimental models demonstrating cross-talk mechanisms.
• Focus on studies conducted in vertebrate systems.

Main Results:

• Multiple mechanisms of Notch-NF-kappaB cross-talk have been reported over the last 11 years.
• These interactions are complex and vary depending on the experimental context.
• Notch signaling is integrated with numerous other pathways, including NF-kappaB.

Conclusions:

• Notch-NF-kappaB cross-talk represents one of the most intricate signaling interactions described.
• Understanding these complex interactions is vital for comprehending cell fate regulation in development, immunity, and cancer.
• Further research is needed to fully establish the physiological relevance of these complex signaling networks.