Specific EGF repeats of Notch mediate interactions with Delta and serrate: Implications for notch as a multifunctional receptor

摘要: The neurogenic loci Notch and Delta, which both encode EGF-homologous transmembrane proteins, appear to function together in mediating cell-cell communication have been shown interact at the cell surface vitro. To examine role of EGF repeats this interaction, we performed an extensive deletion mutagenesis extracellular domain Notch. We find that 36 Notch, only two, 11 12, are necessary sufficient mediate interactions with Delta. Furthermore, Delta binding ability is conserved corresponding two from Xenopus homolog. report a novel molecular interaction between Serrate, another protein containing region striking similarity show same also constitute Serrate domain. These results suggest may act as multifunctional receptor whose form tandem array discrete ligand-binding units, each potentially several different proteins during development.