Notch, initially discovered and well characterized in Drosophila due to the notches apparent in the wing blades of mutant strains, and its signaling pathway play a key role in cell-cell communication, which involves gene regulation mechanisms that control multiple cell differentiation processes during embryonic and adult life, including timely cell lineage specification of both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. This pathway serves as an excellent model signaling cascade for the regulation of the transition from normal ductal epithelium to metaplasia to cancer. In human pancreatic cancer, the change in epithelial differentiation programming is an early hallmark. Several of these changes, including activation of the Notch pathway, which are observed in pathological scenarios, are also seen during normal embryonic development of the pancreas. Notch receptors, ligands as well as downstream targets have been identified to be upregulated in preneoplastic lesions to invasive pancreatic cancers in humans and mice, suggesting that Notch signaling may be an early event leading to accumulation of undifferentiated precursor cells in pancreatic cancers.

Keywords:
Notch, Pancreas development
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.