The adhesion force of Notch with Delta and the rate of Notch signaling.
Notch signaling is repeatedly used during animal development to specify cell fates. Using atomic force microscopy on live cells, chemical inhibitors, and conventional analyses, we show that the rate of Notch signaling is linked to the adhesion force between cells expressing Notch receptors and Delta ligand. Both the Notch extracellular and intracellular domains are required for the high adhesion force with Delta. This high adhesion force is lost within minutes, primarily due to the action of Presenilin on Notch. Reduced turnover or Delta pulling accelerate this loss. These data suggest that strong adhesion between Notch and Delta might serve as a booster for initiating Notch signaling at a high rate.
Ahimou
Francois
F
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Vermont, VT 05405, USA.
Mok
Lee-Peng
LP
Bardot
Boris
B
Wesley
Cedric
C
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C497759:N protein, Drosophila; D051880:Receptors, Notch; C064045:delta protein