The double-edged sword of Notch signaling in cancer

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2012 Jun;23(4):458-64. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2012.01.017. Epub 2012 Jan 30.

Abstract

Recent deep sequencing of cancer genomes has produced an explosion of new data implicating Notch signaling in several human cancers. Unlike most other pathways, these data indicate that Notch signaling can be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive, depending on the cellular context. In some instances, these relationships were predicted from mouse models or presaged by developmental roles for Notch, but in other cases were unanticipated. This review discusses the pathogenic and translational significance of these new findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins