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Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
Published on: January 12, 2020
Role of CSL-dependent and independent Notch signaling pathways in cell apoptosis
Chong Zeng1,2, Rui Xing3, Jing Liu4
1Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Tissue Transplantation and Immunology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is a normally biological phenomenon in various organisms, involving complexly molecular mechanisms with a series of signaling processes. Notch signaling is found evolutionarily conserved in many species, playing a critical role in embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis, angiogenesis and immunoregulation. The focus of this review is on currently novel advances about roles of CSL-dependent and independent Notch signaling pathways in cell apoptosis. The CSL can bind Notch intracellular domain (NIC) to act as a switch in mediating transcriptional activation or inactivation of the Notch signaling pathway downstream genes in the nucleus. It shows that CSL-dependent signaling regulates the cell apoptosis through Hes-1-PTEN-AKT-mTOR signaling, but rather the CSL-independent signaling mediates the cell apoptosis possibly via NIC-mTORC2-AKT-mTOR signaling, providing a new insight into apoptotic mechanisms.
Insights
This review explores how Notch signaling, a conserved biological pathway, influences cell apoptosis. It details CSL-dependent and independent pathways, offering new insights into cell death mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Mechanisms
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process involving intricate molecular signaling pathways.
- Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway crucial for development, tissue homeostasis, and immune regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding the roles of CSL-dependent and independent Notch signaling in cell apoptosis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Notch-mediated apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on novel research in Notch signaling and apoptosis.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms involving CSL-dependent and CSL-independent pathways.
- Examination of key signaling molecules such as CSL, NIC, Hes-1, PTEN, AKT, mTOR, and mTORC2.
Main Results:
- CSL-dependent Notch signaling regulates apoptosis via the Hes-1-PTEN-AKT-mTOR pathway.
- CSL-independent Notch signaling potentially mediates apoptosis through the NIC-mTORC2-AKT-mTOR pathway.
- These distinct pathways offer new perspectives on the regulation of programmed cell death.
Conclusions:
- Notch signaling plays a significant role in regulating cell apoptosis through both CSL-dependent and independent mechanisms.
- Understanding these pathways provides novel insights into apoptotic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
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