Notch Signaling

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Recent insights into the role of Notch signaling in tumorigenesis

G. Leong, and Aly Karsan

From the Department of Medical Biophysics and the Department of

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, British Columbia Cancer Agency,

Vancouver; and the Experimental Medicine Program and the Department

of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia,

Vancouver, Canada.

Members of the Notch family of transmembrane receptors play an

important role in cell fate determination. Over the past decade, a

role for Notch in the pathogenesis of hematologic and solid

malignancies has become apparent. Numerous cellular functions and

microenvironmental cues associated with tumorigenesis are modulated

by Notch signaling, including proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion,

epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis. It is

becoming increasingly evident that Notch signaling can be both

oncogenic and tumor suppressive. This review highlights recent

findings regarding the molecular and functional aspects of Notch-

mediated neoplastic transformation. In addition, cellular mechanisms

that potentially explain the complex role of Notch in tumorigenesis

are discussed.

For complete article, go to:

http://www.bloodjournal.org/cgi/reprint/107/6/2223