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Published on: January 12, 2020
Notch signalling in solid tumours: a little bit of everything but not all the time
Prathibha Ranganathan1, Kelly L Weaver, Anthony J Capobianco
1Department of Surgery and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA.
Abstract:
The discovery of Notch in Drosophila melanogaster nearly a century ago opened the door to an ever-widening understanding of cellular processes that are controlled or influenced by Notch signalling. As would be expected with such a pleiotropic pathway, the deregulation of Notch signalling leads to several pathological conditions, including cancer. A role for Notch is well established in haematological malignancies, and more recent studies have provided evidence for the importance of Notch activity in solid tumours. As it is thought to act as an oncogene in some cancers but as a tumour suppressor in others, the role of Notch in solid tumours seems to be highly context dependent.
Insights
Notch signalling, discovered nearly a century ago, influences many cellular processes. Its deregulation is linked to cancer, with Notch acting as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in a context-dependent manner in solid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Notch signalling pathway discovered in Drosophila melanogaster nearly a century ago.
- Notch pathway deregulation is implicated in various pathological conditions, including cancer.
- Established role in hematological malignancies, with emerging evidence in solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the context-dependent role of Notch signalling in solid tumors.
- To highlight the dual function of Notch as an oncogene and tumor suppressor.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Notch signalling in cancer.
- Analysis of Notch's role in hematological and solid tumors.
- Examination of context-specific functions of Notch.
Main Results:
- Notch signalling plays a critical role in the development and progression of solid tumors.
- The function of Notch (oncogene vs. tumor suppressor) is highly dependent on the specific tumor type and cellular context.
- Evidence supports Notch's involvement in both promoting and inhibiting tumor growth.
Conclusions:
- Notch signalling is a complex and context-dependent factor in solid tumor biology.
- Understanding the specific role of Notch in different cancers is crucial for targeted therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the intricate mechanisms of Notch in oncogenesis.
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