Epidermal Notch Signaling: Differentiation, Cancer, and Adhesion

April 2008 in “ Current opinion in cell biology ”

Fiona M. Watt, Soline Estrach, Carrie A. Ambler

Notch signaling epidermal differentiation hair follicles sebaceous glands interfollicular epidermis tumor suppressor Notch1 inhibition squamous cell carcinomas Ras Wnt Vitamin A integrin expression ROCK2 MRCKα Notch pathway skin differentiation hair follicle maintenance skin cancer cell adhesion

Studysummary This study found that Notch signalling promotes differentiation of epidermal cells and acts as a tumour suppressor in the skin by interacting with various pathways and mechanisms.

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The document discussed the critical role of Notch signaling in regulating epidermal differentiation, cancer, and cell adhesion. Notch signaling promoted differentiation in hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and interfollicular epidermal lineages, and acted as a tumor suppressor in the skin. Genetic studies showed its necessity for postnatal maintenance of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and its regulation of terminal differentiation in the interfollicular epidermis. Notch1 inhibition led to squamous cell carcinomas and increased tumor sensitivity to activated Ras. The pathway also influenced cell fate decisions, interacted with other pathways like Wnt and Vitamin A, and modulated cell adhesion by affecting integrin expression and the activity of ROCK2 and MRCKα. The study emphasized the complexity of Notch signaling, its non-cell autonomous effects, and the distinct cellular responses elicited by different Notch ligands.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Role of the Notch Ligand Delta1 in Embryonic and Adult Mouse Epidermis

78 citations , October 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Delta1 is crucial for controlling skin cell growth and preventing tumors in mice.

research Sic Transit Gloria: Farewell to the Epidermal Transit Amplifying Cell?

153 citations , October 2007 in “Cell Stem Cell”

New research suggests that skin cell renewal may not require a special type of cell previously thought to be essential.

research Epithelial Stem Cells: Turning Over New Leaves

508 citations , February 2007 in “Cell”

This article reviews the biology of epithelial stem cells and their role in tissue self-renewal, maintenance, and regeneration, and it highlights the clinical implications of understanding their signaling pathways, but it presents no new clinical findings.

research Activation of the Notch Pathway in the Hair Cortex Leads to Aberrant Differentiation of the Adjacent Hair-Shaft Layers

109 citations , June 2000 in “Development”

This study reports that activating Notch signaling in the hair follicle cortex of transgenic mice caused abnormal differentiation of the medulla and cuticle, highlighting potential cell-cell interactions.

Localization of Members of the Notch System and the Differentiation of Vibrissa Hair Follicles: Receptors, Ligands, and Fringe Modulators

research Localization of Members of the Notch System and the Differentiation of Vibrissa Hair Follicles: Receptors, Ligands, and Fringe Modulators

62 citations , January 2000 in “Developmental dynamics”

This study found that Notch-related genes, including Notch1 and Notch2, and their ligands and regulators, have distinct patterns of expression during mouse hair vibrissa follicle development and the adult hair cycle.

research Mouse Notch: Expression in Hair Follicles Correlates with Cell Fate Determination

150 citations , May 1993 in “The journal of cell biology/The Journal of cell biology”

This study suggests that mNotch expression plays a significant role in hair follicle differentiation and cell fate selection within the follicle during development.