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Updated: May 8, 2026
08:01
Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
Cytoskeletal protection: acting on notch to prevent neuronal dysfunction
Sara Anna Bonini1, Giulia Ferrari-Toninelli, Giuseppina Maccarinelli
1Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Neuro-Degenerative Diseases
|September 7, 2013
Summary
The Notch pathway influences mature neuron cell fate, affecting synaptic remodeling and neurite extension. Inhibiting Notch signaling can restore neuronal morphology, offering potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Functional and structural plasticity are fundamental brain properties involving complex cellular responses.
- The Notch pathway is crucial for neural development and implicated in neuroplasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Notch pathway in regulating cell fate decisions in mature neurons.
- To explore the impact of Notch pathway activation on neuronal structure and function.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of modulating Notch signaling in neurological disorders.
Main Methods:
- Investigated Notch pathway's role in mature neuron cell fate decisions (synaptic remodeling, neurite extension/retraction).
- Analyzed effects of Notch pathway activation on neurite branching, varicosities, and neurotransmitter release.
- Utilized Notch-inhibiting agents to revert neuronal morphology in hyper-activated neurons.
Main Results:
- Notch pathway activation decreases neurite branching and varicosities, reducing neurotransmitter release.
- Hyper-activation of the Notch pathway in dysfunctional neurons leads to morphological changes.
- Notch-inhibiting agents successfully reverted abnormal neuronal morphology.
Conclusions:
- The Notch pathway is a key regulator of structural plasticity in mature neurons.
- Fine-tuning Notch signaling offers a novel approach to modulate neuronal cytoskeleton plasticity.
- Targeting Notch signaling may prevent dysfunctional plasticity in neurodegenerative diseases.
Related Concept Videos
03:14Notch 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...
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...
03:14Notch 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...
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...
01:12Role 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...
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...
01:23Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
02:19The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...