Notch signaling in neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor that originates from precursor cells of the sympathetic nervous system that have discontinued their normal differentiation program. This review is focused on involvement of the Notch signaling cascade in the process of differentiation in neuroblastoma cells and normal cells of the sympathetic nervous system. Hypoxia induces dedifferentiation of neuroblastoma cells in vivo and in vitro, and under oxygen-compromised conditions the Notch cascade is activated. This activation might promote development of the dedifferentiated phenotype. The implications of these observations for tumor biology are also discussed.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital MAS, Entrance 78, 3rd Floor, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
Sven
S
Påhlman
Marie-Thérése
MT
Stockhausen
Erik
E
Fredlund
Håkan
H
Axelson
D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch