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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Trophoblast Cell Recovery from Angiogenesis-Tube Formation Assay for Differentiation Marker Expression Analysis
Published on: November 8, 2024
Notch1 and the activated NOTCH1 intracellular domain are expressed in differentiated trophoblast cells
Didem Pelin Sarikaya1, Loydie Anne Jerome-Majewska
1Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
The Notch signalling pathway regulates proliferation, cell death and cell type specification that is critical for organogenesis. Mouse models carrying mutations in the Notch signalling pathway display defects in development of the placenta, suggesting that this pathway is required for placental development. In particular, Notch1 mutant embryos exhibit abnormal placental morphogenesis and arrest early in development. However, expression of Notch1 gene has not been detected during placental development. Trophoblast stem cells are derived from the precursor of the placenta and express Notch1. We report that Notch1 is also expressed in differentiated trophoblast cells. Under standard differentiation conditions, Notch1 expression ceases by day 6. Furthermore, the activated NOTCH1 intracellular domain is enriched at the nucleolus of trophoblast stem cells and differentiated trophoblast cells. Our results suggest that NOTCH1 is active in both trophoblast stem cells and differentiated trophoblast cells.
Insights
Notch1 is active in placental development, specifically in trophoblast stem cells and differentiated cells. This finding is crucial for understanding placental morphogenesis and embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signalling
Background:
- The Notch signalling pathway is essential for organogenesis, regulating key cellular processes.
- Mutations in Notch signalling disrupt placental development, indicating its critical role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and activity of Notch1 during placental development.
- To determine if Notch1 is present in trophoblast stem cells and differentiated trophoblast cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Notch1 gene expression in trophoblast stem cells and differentiated cells.
- Detection of the activated NOTCH1 intracellular domain in these cells.
Main Results:
- Notch1 is expressed in both trophoblast stem cells and differentiated trophoblast cells.
- Notch1 expression declines by day 6 under standard differentiation conditions.
- The activated NOTCH1 intracellular domain localizes to the nucleolus in both cell types.
Conclusions:
- NOTCH1 is active in both trophoblast stem cells and differentiated trophoblast cells.
- This suggests a vital role for Notch1 signalling throughout placental development.
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