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

A Snapshot of the Molecular Biology of Notch Signaling: Challenges and Promises. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1227:1-7 Authors: Reichrath J, Reichrath S Abstract Evolutionary conserved Notch signaling is of high importance for embryogenesis and adult tissues, representing one of the most fascinating pathways that regulate key cell fate decisions and other core processes. This chapter gives a short introduction to the first volume of the book entitled Notch Signaling in Embryology and Cancer, that is intended to provide both basic scientists and clinicians who seek today`s clearest understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate Notch signaling with an authoritative day-to-day source. On a first look, Notch signaling, that first developed in metazoans and that was first discovered in a fruit fly, seems fallaciously simple, with its key feature being a direct link between an extracellular signal and transcriptional output without the requirement of an extended chain of protein intermediaries as needed by the majority of other signaling pathways. However, on a second, closer look, this obvious simplicity hides remarkable complexity. Notch signaling, that relies on an extensive collection of mechanisms that it exerts alongside of its core transcriptional machinery, orchestrates and governs cellular development by inducing and regulating communication between adjacent cells. In general, a cell expressing the Notch receptor can be activat...
Source: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Category: Research Tags: Adv Exp Med Biol Source Type: research