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Exploring the Multiple Roles of Notch1 in Biological Development: An Analysis and Study Based on Phylogenetics and
Yuesi Zhou1,2, Zihao Yan2, Ya Pang2
1Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of Ministry of Education, Institute of Marine Sustainable Development, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 11, 2024
Summary
Researchers identified the Notch1 gene in jawless vertebrates, revealing its ancient role in signal transduction, immune, and metabolic regulation. This discovery sheds light on the Notch signaling pathway's evolution and function.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Notch gene family and its signaling pathway are crucial in higher vertebrates, but their evolutionary origins and functions in basal vertebrates remain unclear.
- Jawless vertebrates represent a key lineage for understanding vertebrate evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a Notch1 homologue in the jawless vertebrate Lethenteron reissneri.
- To elucidate the evolutionary origin and conserved functions of the Notch signaling pathway.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics analysis to identify the Notch1 homologue (Lr. Notch1).
- Targeted gene silencing of Lr. Notch1 in L. reissneri.
- Transcriptome analysis to assess gene expression changes post-silencing.
Main Results:
- Lr. Notch1 was identified and predicted as an ancestral Notch gene, indicating high conservation.
- Silencing Lr. Notch1 led to differential expression in pathways related to signal transduction, immune regulation, and metabolic regulation.
- The observed functional effects mirrored those of the Notch signaling pathway in higher vertebrates.
Conclusions:
- This study systematically clarifies the origin and evolution of the Notch gene family.
- Lr. Notch1 validation provides functional insights into the conserved roles of Notch signaling.
- Findings support future research on Notch pathway evolution, human diseases, and immunomodulation.
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