Notch and cancer: best to avoid the ups and downs.
The Notch pathway is known for its multiple important roles in development and tissue homeostasis, and it can be subverted during oncogenic transformation. Two recent studies add to our understanding of Notch in cancer biology in contrasting ways, by showing novel mechanisms of Notch pathway activation in cancer cells, and by indicating that in some circumstances, Notch can behave as a tumor suppressor.
Maillard
Ivan
I
Division of Hematology-Oncology, Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 611 BRB II/III, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. wpear@mail.med.upenn.edu
Pear
Warren S
WS
D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051880:Receptors, Notch