The role of Notch in tumorigenesis: oncogene or tumour suppressor?
Notch signalling participates in the development of multicellular organisms by maintaining the self-renewal potential of some tissues and inducing the differentiation of others. Involvement of Notch in cancer was first highlighted in human T-cell leukaemia, fuelling the notion that aberrant Notch signalling promotes tumorigenesis. However, there is mounting evidence that Notch signalling is not exclusively oncogenic. It can instead function as a tumour suppressor.
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses 155, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland. Freddy.Radtke@isrec.unil.ch
Freddy
F
Radtke
Kenneth
K
Raj
D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology*; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015534:Trans-Activators