Emerging role of Notch in stem cells and cancer

Cancer Lett. 2009 Jun 28;279(1):8-12. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.09.030. Epub 2008 Nov 20.

Abstract

The Notch signaling pathway is known to be responsible for maintaining a balance between cell proliferation and death and, as such, plays important roles in the formation of many types of human tumors. Recently, Notch signaling pathway has been shown to control stem cell self-renewal and multi-potency. As many cancers are thought to be developed from a number of cancer stem-like cells, which are also known to be linked with the acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); and thus suggesting an expanding role of Notch signaling in human tumor progression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transdifferentiation
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / pathology
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch