Crossing paths with Notch in the hyper-network.
The development of complex and diverse metazoan morphologies is coordinated by a surprisingly small number of evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanisms. These signals can act in parallel but often appear to function as an integrated hyper-network. The nodes defining this complex molecular circuitry are poorly understood, but the biological significance of pathway cross-talk is profound. The importance of such large-scale signal integration is exemplified by Notch and its ability to cross-talk with all the major pathways to influence cell differentiation, proliferation, survival and migration. The Notch pathway is, thus, a useful paradigm to illustrate the complexity of pathway cross-talk: its pervasiveness, context dependency, and importance in development and disease.
Hurlbut
Gregory D
GD
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
Kankel
Mark W
MW
Lake
Robert J
RJ
Artavanis-Tsakonas
Spyros
S
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051880:Receptors, Notch