Notch is considered to be conserved in its role of controlling embryonic organogenesis and postnatal tissue repair. The variable strength of Notch signaling represents a highly reliable molecular mechanism that regulates cell-fate determination, and enables formation of tissues and organs from initially equivalent groups of stem cells.
Likewise, we know that Notch signaling is involved with embryonic, postnatal, aged and oncogenic properties of stem and progenitor cells. The interactions between Notch signaling and other key molecular networks (e.g. transforming growth factor bone morphogenetic protein 4 and Wingless) have also been conserved in postnatal regeneration of multiple tissues, and are implicated in Notch-imposed control of stem cell responses.
Pathway components
Notch receptors
The mature Notch receptor (b) is produced through a furin cleavage during biosynthesis. Notch extracellular domains contain 29–36 EGF repeats, 3 cysteine rich LIN repeats and a region that links to the transmembrane and intracellular fragment. This linker region is important in preventing premature activation of the receptor and is altered in 26% of activating mutations that are associated with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. EGF-repeats 11 and 12 (orange) are essential for ligand binding. The intracellular portion consists of a RAM domain, six ankyrin (Ank) repeats and a C-terminal PEST domain. It also contains nuclear localization signals. Individual types of Notch receptor have additional protein–protein interaction motifs.
DSL ligands
Notch ligands (a) are transmembrane proteins that are characterized by an N-terminal DSL (Delta, Serrate and LAG-2) domain that is essential for interactions with the Notch receptor. The ligands are subdivided into two classes,
- Delta or Delta-like (Dll) and
- Serrate (Jagged in mammals)
depending on the presence or absence of a cysteine rich (CR) domain.
Nuclear effectors
The key transducer of the Notch-signalling pathway is a DNA-binding protein, CSL. DNA contacts are predominantly made through the RHR-N and BTD domains. The BTD domain contains a hydrophobic pocket that is thought to mediate the interaction with the Notch intracellular domain (Nicd). To activate transcription, the co-activator Mastermind (Mam) is required.
Details of the pathway
Notch Signaling
Notch–DSL ligand binding instigates proteolytic cleavage at both the extracellular and intracellular regions of the Notch receptor. The first cleavage (S2 cleavage) is a direct consequence of ligand binding and is catalysed by the ADAM family metalloproteases- These proteases release the ligand-bound extracellular portion of Notch. These proteases release the ligand-bound extracellular portion of Notch. In S3 cleavage, release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) is mediated by the action of a presenilin-1- dependent gamma-secretase complex (containing presenilin, nicastrin, presenilin enhancer protein and alphaprotein [APH1]). Nuclear localization signals within the NICD direct its translocation, where it binds to and displaces a CSL transcriptional corepressor complex. In the absence of Notch activation, CSL recruits various histone deacetylases and corepressor components.
Functions
The Notch signaling pathway is important for cell-cell communication, which involves gene regulation mechanisms that control multiple cell differentiation processes during embryonic and adult life. Notch signaling also has a role in the others processes (Wiki)
Regulation of notch ligand activity
The identification of the E3 ubiquitin ligases,
- Neuralized (Neur)
- Mind bomb (Mib)
that interact directly with Notch ligands and are required for ligand activation was a striking and surprising recent discovery. Some observations indicate that regulation of ligand activity by Neur and Mib is intimately associated with endocytosis.
Regulation of notch receptor activity
Role of glycosylation
Notch proteins have a large ECD that consists of multiple EGF-like repeats, which are sites for glycosylation. The enzyme O-fucosyl transferase (O-Fut) adds the first fucose and is essential for the generation of a functional receptor.
Not only is the enzymatic activity important, O-Fut also functions as a chaperone to promote the folding and transport of Notch from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell membrane.
Papers Miele L Notch cancer
Notch signaling in cancer 2006
Notch signaling 2006
Papers Bray SJ. Notch signaling
Notch signalling: a simple pathway becomes complex 2006
Papers Stanley P. Notch signaling
Regulation of Notch signaling by glycosylation 2007
Notch at Reactome
view Tesina 2008
