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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
Epsin-Dependent Ligand Endocytosis Activates Notch by Force
Paul D Langridge1, Gary Struhl1
1Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, New York, NY, USA.
Notch receptor activation requires DSL ligand endocytosis by Epsin, supporting "pulling" models over "recycling" models. Ligand endocytosis after Notch binding is crucial for cleavage and signal transmission.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular signaling
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DSL ligands activate the Notch receptor through proteolytic cleavage.
- Ligand endocytosis by the adaptor protein Epsin is essential for this activation.
- Two main hypotheses exist: recycling models and pulling models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which Epsin-mediated ligand endocytosis activates Notch signaling.
- To differentiate between the 'recycling' and 'pulling' models of Notch activation.
Main Methods:
- In vivo experiments using DSL ligands engineered to bypass the Epsin pathway.
- Assessing Notch binding and activation in the presence of modified ligands.
- Analyzing the role of mechanical force in receptor cleavage.
Main Results:
- Ligands unable to undergo Epsin-mediated endocytosis still bind Notch.
- These ligands fail to activate Notch signaling due to insufficient force generation.
- Results support the 'pulling' model, where ligand endocytosis after binding is required for cleavage.
Conclusions:
- Epsin-mediated ligand endocytosis is critical for generating the force needed to cleave the Notch receptor.
- The 'pulling' model accurately describes Notch activation, not the 'recycling' model.
- Activation involves a competition between Epsin-mediated endocytosis (inducing cleavage) and receptor-mediated transendocytosis (aborting the signal).
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