Cross talk between notch and growth factor/cytokine signaling pathways in neural stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Precise control of proliferation and differentiation of multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) is crucial for proper development of the nervous system. Although signaling through the cell surface receptor Notch has been implicated in many aspects of neural development, its role in NSCs remains elusive. Here we examined how the Notch pathway cross talks with signaling for growth factors and cytokines in controlling the self-renewal and differentiation of NSCs. Both Notch and growth factors were required for active proliferation of NSCs, but each of these signals was sufficient and independent of the other to inhibit differentiation of neurons and glia. Moreover, Notch signals could support the clonal self-renewing growth of NSCs in the absence of growth factors. This growth factor-independent

SUBMITTER: Nagao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1900030 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature