Notch and Stem Cells

Abstract

The Notch pathway is crucial in the regulation of stem cells biology. Notch-mediated signalling controls several aspects of tissue homeostasis in both embryonic and adult tissues, balancing stem cells maintenance and differentiation. Although the major elements of the pathway are well conserved throughout evolution, its fine regulation varies among different systems. In this review, we are focusing at the differences and analogies of Notch activity in different animal models, comparing stem cells of various tissues in both adulthood and development. We summarize the major mode of action of the Notch-pathway in dependency to the type of ligand, cross-talk control and transcriptional regulation adopted by stem cells to preserve their undifferentiation status or complete their maturation.

Keywords: Differentiation; Notch; Self-renewing; Stem cells.