Essential role for Notch signaling in restricting developmental plasticity.

TitleEssential role for Notch signaling in restricting developmental plasticity.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsDjabrayan NJ-V, Dudley NR, Sommermann EM, Rothman JH
JournalGenes Dev
Volume26
Issue21
Pagination2386-91
Date Published2012 Nov 1
ISSN1549-5477
KeywordsAnimals, Caenorhabditis elegans, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, Cell Differentiation, Cellular Reprogramming, Embryonic Development, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Receptors, Notch, Signal Transduction
Abstract

We report that Notch signaling is essential for the switch from developmental plasticity to commitment during Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis. The GLP-1 and LIN-12 Notch receptors act to set a memory state that affects commitment of cells arising from the major ectodermal progenitor (AB blastomere) several cell divisions later, thereby preventing their forced reprogramming by an endoderm-determining transcription factor. In contrast to Notch-dependent cell fate induction, this activity is autonomous to the AB lineage, is independent of the known cell fate-inducing Notch ligands, and requires a putative secreted Notch ligand, Delta Serrate Lag-3 (DSL-3). Thus, Notch signaling promotes developmental commitment by a mechanism that is distinct from that involved in specifying cell fates.

DOI10.1101/gad.199588.112
Alternate JournalGenes Dev.
PubMed ID23124064
PubMed Central IDPMC3489997
Grant ListHD062922 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States