Notch-1 role in cervical cancer

The Notch gene family encodes transmembrane receptors with a dual capability to suppress or induce cell differentiation. This may have important consequences for tumorigenesis but the exact role of Notch genes in cancer development is not known. In September 1 Genes and Development Claudio Talora and colleagues from Harvard Medical School show that decreased expression of gene Notch1 is pivotal in the late stages of human papilloma virus-induced cervical cancer.

Talora et al. used a panel of cervical carcinoma cell lines and observed that expression of the endogenous Notch1 gene is markedly reduced whereas expression of Notch2 remains elevated. In addition, they show that down-modulation of Notch1, but not Notch2, signaling is required for sustained human papillomavirus (HPV)-E6/E7 expression and HPV-induced malignant transformation.

"The main conclusion that can be drawn from our findings is that the positive or negative role of the Notch pathway in tumor development is likely to...