A Snapshot of the Molecular Biology of Notch Signaling: Challenges and Promises.

摘要: Evolutionary conserved Notch signaling is of high importance for embryogenesis and adult tissues, representing one the most fascinating pathways that regulate key cell fate decisions other core processes. This chapter gives a short introduction to first volume book entitled Signaling in Embryology Cancer, intended provide both basic scientists clinicians who seek today`s clearest understanding molecular mechanisms mediate with an authoritative day-to-day source. On look, signaling, developed metazoans was discovered fruit fly, seems fallaciously simple, its feature being direct link between extracellular signal transcriptional output without requirement extended chain protein intermediaries as needed by majority pathways. However, on second, closer this obvious simplicity hides remarkable complexity. relies extensive collection it exerts alongside machinery, orchestrates governs cellular development inducing regulating communication adjacent cells. In general, expressing receptor can be activated trans ligands leading alteration transcription fate. also have ability inhibit accomplished when are co-expressed cis same cell. The so called non-canonical further diversify potential outputs Notch, allow coordinate regulation many aspects biology. Fortunately, generation investigation knockout mice animal models recent years resulted huge new scientific informations concerning gene function, allowing dissect role specific components human health, showing promise opening avenues prevention therapy broad variety independent diseases, including cancer, although goal still challenging.