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Notch receptor expression in adult human liver: a possible role in bile duct formation and hepatic neovascularization.

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism, used to regulate cell fate decisions. Four Notch receptors have been identified in man (Notch-1 to -4). In this study, semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression pattern of Notch receptor genes in whole adult human liver and isolated liver cell preparations. All 4 receptors were expressed in the adult liver, with no significant differences in the levels of Notch-1, -2, and -4 messenger RNA (mRNA) between normal and diseased liver. However, Notch-3 expression appeared to be increased in diseased tissue. The distribution of Notch-1 and -4 in normal tissue was similar, with Notch-1 also detectable at low levels in the sinusoidal endothelium. Notch-2 expression was more widely distributed, and detectable in hepatocytes, medium-sized bile ducts, and the sinusoidal endothelium. Notch-3 expression was seen on hepatocytes, with weaker expression detectable in portal veins, hepatic arteries, and the sinusoids. In normal liver tissue Notch-1, -2, and -3 were found to be coexpressed on bile duct epithelium; however, with the exception of Notch-3 in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) livers, expression was absent on proliferating ductules in all disease states examined. Interestingly, the expression of Notch-2 and -3 was associated with numerous small vessels within the portal tract septa of diseased tissue. The absence of Notch receptor expression on proliferating bile ductules and its presence on neovessels suggests that Notch signaling may be important for normal bile duct formation and the aberrant neovascularization seen in diseased liver tissue.

Adult↗

Mouse jagged1 physically interacts with notch2 and other notch receptors. Assessment by quantitative methods.

The Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 (DSL) domain containing proteins are considered to be ligands for Notch receptors. However, the physical interaction between DSL proteins and Notch receptors is poorly understood. In this study, we cloned a cDNA for mouse Jagged1 (mJagged1). To identify the receptor interacting with mJagged1 and to gain insight into its binding characteristics, we established two experimental systems using fusion proteins comprising various extracellular parts of mJagged1, a "cell" binding assay and a "solid-phase" binding assay. mJagged1 physically bound to mouse Notch2 (mNotch2) on the cell surface and to a purified extracellular portion of mNotch2, respectively, in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis of mJagged1 binding to BaF3 cells and to the soluble Notch2 protein demonstrated dissociation constants of 0.4 and 0.7 nM, respectively, and that the number of mJagged1-binding sites on BaF3 is 5,548 per cell. Furthermore, deletion mutant analyses showed that the DSL domain of mJagged1 is a minimal binding unit and is indispensable for binding to mNotch2. The epidermal growth factor-like repeats of mJagged1 modulate the affinity of the interaction, with the first and second repeats playing a major role. Finally, solid-phase binding assay showed that Jagged1 binds to Notch1 and Notch3 in addition to Notch2, suggesting that mJagged1 is a ligand for multiple Notch receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of Notch receptor expression in the developing mammalian heart and liver.

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by bile duct paucity along with cardiovascular, skeletal, and ophthalmologic defects. The identification of JAG1 as the AGS disease gene revealed the crucial role of the Notch signaling pathway in the development of multiple organ systems in humans. Patients with identical mutations in JAG1 demonstrate extreme clinical variability, suggesting that other factors may influence the severity of the developmental defects in this disorder. We have defined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of the Notch receptor genes in the developing mammalian heart and liver in order to identify potential ligand/receptor interactions during embryogenesis. In the developing heart, both Notch1 and Notch2 are expressed in the outflow tracts and the epicardium, in specific cell populations previously shown to express JAG1. These cells are destined to undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation. In the newborn mouse liver, Notch2 and Notch3 are expressed in opposing cell populations, suggesting they play different roles in cell fate determination during bile duct development. JAG1 is also expressed in cells adjacent to those expressing Notch2, suggesting a possible ligand receptor relationship. The Notch receptors have distinct roles in cell fate determination in different organ systems.

Animals↗

Diverse roles for the Notch receptor in the development of D. melanogaster.

Notch proteins appear to be involved in cell fate commitments with deep evolutionary roots. Homologues have been shown to play key roles in the development of nematodes, insects, amphibia, and mammals. Activity of the Notch receptor has been observed in the patterning of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, indicating an origin prior to the functional differentiation of these germ layers. To understand how a single receptor can participate so widely in development, we have been examining the role of specific extracellular segments of Notch. Early studies of mutations affecting widely separated EGF-like elements of Notch first raised the possibility for interaction with multiple ligands. Biochemical approaches, and exhaustive structure function studies in transgenic Drosophila are beginning to reveal how this receptor is activated, and point to a range of physical interactions with other proteins.

Animals↗

Evidence for differential expression of Notch receptors and their ligands in melanocytic nevi and cutaneous malignant melanoma.

The Notch signaling has been implicated in the regulation of self-renewal of adult stem cells and differentiation of precursors along a specific cell lineage, in normal embryonic development and organogenesis. There is also evidence that signaling through Notch receptors regulate cell proliferation and cell survival in several types of cancer, with opposing results depending on tissue context. No data are available in the literature concerning modulation of the expression of Notch receptors, and their ligands, in human cutaneous malignant melanoma. Here, we have investigated, for the first time, the expression of Notch-1, Notch-2, Jagged-1, Jagged-2 and Delta-like 1 proteins, by immunohistochemistry, in a series of benign and malignant human melanocytic lesions: five common melanocytic nevi, five 'dysplastic nevi' and 20 melanomas (five in situ, five T1-T2, five T3-T4 and five metastatic melanomas). We found that the expression of Notch-1 and Notch-2, as well as Notch ligands, was upregulated in 'dysplastic nevi' and melanomas as compared with common melanocytic nevi. These results indicate that the activation of Notch may represent an early event in melanocytic tumor growth and upregulation of Notch signaling may sustain tumor progression.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical localization of Notch receptors and their ligands in the postnatally developing rat cerebellum.

Although mRNAs of Notch receptors and their ligands are known to be expressed in the postnatally developing rodent cerebellum, their protein localization has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we immunohistochemically examined localization of Notch receptors and their ligands during postnatal cerebellar development in rats. During the first two postnatal weeks, intense signals of Notch1-3 were localized in Bergmann fibers (radial fibers of Bergmann glia), as confirmed by double fluorescent immunohistochemistry. After that, the signals gradually declined into adulthood. Among Notch ligands, Jagged1 and 2 were also localized in Bergmann fibers. These results suggest that cell-cell interactions through Jagged-Notch signaling can occur between Bergmann glia during postnatal cerebellar development.

Animals↗

Structure and Notch receptor binding of the tandem WWE domain of Deltex.

Deltex is a cytosolic effector of Notch signaling thought to bind through its N-terminal domain to the Notch receptor. Here we report the structure of the Drosophila Deltex N-terminal domain, which contains two tandem WWE sequence repeats. The WWE repeats, which adopt a novel fold, are related by an approximate two-fold axis of rotation. Although the WWE repeats are structurally distinct, they interact extensively and form a deep cleft at their junction that appears well suited for ligand binding. The two repeats are thermodynamically coupled; this coupling is mediated in part by a conserved segment that is immediately C-terminal to the second WWE domain. We demonstrate that although the Deltex WWE tandem is monomeric in solution, it forms a heterodimer with the ankyrin domain of the Notch receptor. These results provide structural and functional insight into how Deltex modulates Notch signaling, and how WWE modules recognize targets for ubiquitination.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of ADAM10 and Notch receptors in bone.

In Drosophila melanogaster, the role of the metallodisintegrin, Kuzbanian (kuz), is thought to involve activation of the Drosophila Notch receptor that plays a role in cell-fate determination during neurogenesis and myoblast differentiation. To understand the possible function(s) of a-disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM10), the mammalian ortholog of kuz, in the skeleton, we studied its expression as well as the messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding one candidate substrate, the mammalian Notch2 receptor in bone, bone cells, and cartilage. In sections of neonatal rat tibiae, ADAM10 is expressed in specific regions of articular cartilage and metaphyseal bone. Expression of ADAM10 in articular cartilage occurs predominantly in superficial chondrocytes and becomes more sporadic with increasing distance from the articular surface. In bone, ADAM10 is expressed by periosteal cells, osteoblasts, and osteocytes at locations of active bone formation. Osteoclasts did not express ADAM10. Notch2 mRNA expression was not detectable in superficial chondrocytes. However it colocalized at all sites of ADAM10 expression in bone cells. In vitro, both primary human osteoblasts and osteoblast cell lines expressed a single 4.5 kb and 7.5 kb transcript of ADAM10 and the Notch2 receptor homolog, respectively. Subcellular localization of the ADAM10 protein in MG-63 cells was determined using immunofluorescent techniques. These observations showed clearly that the ADAM10 protein was expressed in the trans-Golgi network and on the plasma membrane. Western blot analysis of fractionated cells showed that, in the plasma membrane fraction, the previously characterized 58 kDa and 56 kDa isoforms were present, whereas, in the trans-Golgi network, the ADAM10 protein was present in several additional bands, possibly indicative of further interdomain processing of the ADAM10 protein. The metallodisintegrins (ADAMs) have several putative functions, including modulation of cell adhesion, membrane-associated proteolysis, and cell-cell signaling. These observations suggest that, in bone but not cartilage, ADAM10 has catalytic activity within the transGolgi network and may play a role in the activation of Notch receptor homologs. This implicates ADAM10 in cell-fate determination of osteoblast progenitor cells, possibly during skeletal development and normal bone remodeling. Plasma-membrane-associated ADAM10 may confer alternative functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunohistological localization of Notch receptors and their ligands Delta and Jagged in synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The interaction of Notch receptors with their transmembrane ligands Delta and Jagged plays an important role not only in the organization of a variety of tissues but also in several genetic disorders and cancer development. The functional involvement of the Notch signaling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported previously, but the expression profile of Notch-related molecules, as well as their relation with clinicopathological parameters, remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the immunohistochemical staining pattern of four Notch receptors (Notch1-4) and their ligands (Delta1 and Jagged1) in 14 synovial tissues obtained from 14 RA patients. RESULTS: Notch2 and Notch4 were expressed in limited areas in a few samples or in small blood vessels, respectively. Notch1, Notch3, Delta1, and Jagged1 were overexpressed in the synovial lining and sublining cells on synovial hyperplastic lesions in all samples. Notch1 expression was also observed in T and B lymphocytes of lymphoid follicles independently. Notch1 and Notch3 expression overlapped with that of Jagged1, as determined by confocal microscopy. Activation of Notch1 signaling in the RA synovium was identified using a specific antibody to the cleaved form of Notch1. The expression of these molecules did not show any correlation with clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Notch signaling is activated in RA synovium but does not necessarily reflect the pathological condition of RA.

Adolescent↗

Rel/NF-kappaB can trigger the Notch signaling pathway by inducing the expression of Jagged1, a ligand for Notch receptors.

Jagged1 belongs to the DSL family of ligands for Notch receptors that control the proliferation and differentiation of various cell lineages. However, little is known about the transcription factors that regulate its expression. Here, we show that Jagged1 is a Rel/NF-kappaB-responsive gene. Both c-Rel and RelA induced jagged1 gene expression, whereas a mutant defective for transactivation did not. Importantly, jagged1 transcripts were also upregulated by endogenous NF-kappaB activation and this effect was inhibited by a dominant mutant of IkappaBalpha, a physiological inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Cell surface expression of Jagged1 in c-Rel-expressing cell monolayers led to a functional interaction with lymphocytes expressing the Notch1/TAN-1 receptor. This correlated with the initiation of signaling downstream of Notch, as evidenced by increased levels of HES-1 transcripts in co-cultivated T cells and of CD23 transcripts in co-cultivated B cells. Consistent with its Rel/NF-kappaB-dependent induction, Jagged1 was found to be highly expressed in splenic B cells where c-Rel is expressed constitutively. These results demonstrate that c-Rel can trigger the Notch signaling pathway in neighboring cells by inducing jagged1 gene expression, and suggest a role for Jagged1 in B-cell activation, differentiation or function. These findings also highlight the potential for an interplay between the Notch and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in the immune system.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Functional conservation of mouse Notch receptor family members.

All the known members of the mouse Notch receptor family were examined for their biochemical function by interaction with a DNA binding protein RBP-Jkappa. mNotch2, mNotch3 and int3 (= mNotch4) were shown to interact with RBP-Jkappa by the GST-fusion pull down assay and dominant negative competition with Epstein Barr virus nuclear antigen 2. Furthermore the intracellular region of int3 was shown to transactivate the Epstein Barr virus TP1 promoter. These results indicate that all mouse Notch family members have biochemical functions similar to mNotch1, which transduces proliferative signal by direct interaction with the DNA binding protein RBP-Jkappa.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Drosophila Numb protein inhibits signaling of the Notch receptor during cell-cell interaction in sensory organ lineage.

Specification of unequal daughter cell fates in the Drosophila external sense organ lineage requires asymmetric localization of the intrinsic determinant Numb as well as cell-cell interactions mediated by the Delta ligand and Notch receptor. Previous genetic studies indicated that numb acts upstream of Notch, and biochemical studies revealed that Numb can bind Notch. For a functional assay of the action of Numb on Notch signaling, we expressed these proteins in cultured Drosophila cells and used nuclear translocation of Suppressor of Hairless [Su(H)] as a reporter for Notch activity. We found that Numb interfered with the ability of Notch to cause nuclear translocation of Su(H); both the C-terminal half of the phosphotyrosine binding domain and the C terminus of Numb are required to inhibit Notch. Overexpression of Numb during wing development, which is sensitive to Notch dosage, revealed that Numb is also able to inhibit the Notch receptor in vivo. In the external sense organ lineage, the phosphotyrosine binding domain of Numb was found to be essential for the function but not for asymmetric localization of Numb. Our results suggest that Numb determines daughter cell fates in the external sense organ lineage by inhibiting Notch signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The notch receptor and its ligands are selectively expressed during hematopoietic development in the mouse.

Members of the Notch family of transmembrane receptors are found on primitive hematopoietic precursors, and Notch ligand expression has been demonstrated on the surface of stromal cells, suggesting a role for Notch signaling in mammalian blood cell development. The current report examines the expression of Notch receptors and their ligands in murine hematopoietic tissues to determine: A) which blood cell lineages in the adult are influenced by Notch activity, and B) whether fetal hematopoiesis in the embryo involves the Notch pathway. In the adult mouse, a combination of flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and Northern analysis was used to examine Notch receptor or ligand expression in bone marrow and spleen. In the embryo, Northern analysis and in situ hybridization were used to characterize Notch receptor and ligand expression in fetal liver on embryonic day 12 (E12) through E17, an active period encompassing both erythropoiesis and granulopoeisis. Flow cytometry demonstrated the presence of Notch1 and Notch2 receptors on bone marrow-derived myeloid cells but not on erythroid cells positive for the marker, Ter-119. In situ hybridization of E12 through E17 fetal liver demonstrated widespread expression of Jagged1 and Delta1 in a pattern similar to but less abundant than that of the erythropoietin receptor. Taken together with earlier functional results, the current expression data suggest a role for Notch activity in establishing definitive hematopoiesis in fetal liver, as well as a selective use of Notch signaling in adult erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis. Notch receptors in the adult are most likely utilized by early erythroid precursors and intermediate-stage granulocytes, but not by terminally differentiating cells of either subset.

Animals↗

Notch receptor cleavage depends on but is not directly executed by presenilins.

Notch receptors undergo three distinct proteolytic cleavages during maturation and activation. The third cleavage occurs within the plasma membrane and results in the release and translocation of the intracellular domain into the nucleus to execute Notch signaling. This so-called gamma-secretase cleavage is under the control of presenilins, but it is not known whether presenilins themselves carry out the cleavage or whether they act by means of yet-unidentified gamma-secretase(s). In this article, we show that Notch intracellular cleavage in intact cells completely depends on presenilins. In contrast, partial purification of the Notch cleavage activity reveals an activity, which is present only in protein extracts from presenilin-containing cells, and which does not comigrate with presenilin. This finding provides evidence for the existence of a specific Notch-processing activity, which is physically distinct from presenilins. We conclude from these experiments that presenilins are critically required for Notch intracellular cleavage but are not themselves directly mediating the cleavage.

Acetylcysteine↗

HOXD3 regulates expression of JAGGED1, a ligand for Notch receptors.

We generated transgenic mouse embryos expressing the human HOXD3 homeobox gene in the central nervous system (CNS) utilizing the Wnt1 expression vector. Whole mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the transgenic embryos at 10.5 days post coitum (dpc) expressed the HOXD3 gene in dorsal aspects of the CNS from the diencephalon to the spinal cord. Histological observation of sections showed that, in the spinal cord of the transgenic embryos at 10.5 dpc, there were few neuronal progenitor cells stretching from a luminal to basal side. This implies that Notch signaling which is involved in determining the courses of differentiation in the progenitors was disturbed within the CNS of the transgenic embryos. To elucidate what effects HOXD3 has on Notch signaling, we examined gene expression of Notch receptors and ligands using human erythroleukemia HEL and K562 cells transfected with the HOXD3 gene. Consequently, HOXD3 promoted expression of JAGGED1, a ligand for Notch receptors, in both the transfectants, suggesting that the JAGGED1 gene is a downstream target of HOXD3.

Animals↗

Structural conservation of Notch receptors and ligands.

The Notch signalling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved cell-to-cell communication system utilized multiple times and in many tissues during development. The outcome of an interaction between Notch and its ligands is highly influenced by factors both extrinsic and intrinsic to Notch expressing cells, suggesting that Notch functions either directly or in parallel with other signalling systems to regulate cellular differentiation events. Protein domains common to all ligands and receptors of this system suggest conserved functional properties that likely relate to regulatory mechanisms for Notch signalling. Within this review, the known functional properties of these domains are analyzed with respect to their contributions to ligand/receptor interactions and Notch signalling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗