Chapter 17 - Notch and Neural Development

Abstract

The history of Notch signaling goes back almost a century, to some of the earliest studies of Drosophila development. Since this time, Notch signaling has been found to underlie many evolutionary conserved developmental processes in multiple systems and across phyla. In particular, Notch signaling plays a key role in both invertebrate and vertebrate nervous system development. From the initial identification of its neurogenic phenotype in flies, through recently reported roles in adult mammalian neurogenesis, Notch is best known for mediating lateral inhibition, a process that simultaneously regulates neural differentiation and maintenance of progenitor pools. Here, the authors review these classic functions of Notch, focusing on contributions from higher order vertebrate neurogenic model systems that reveal conserved molecular regulatory pathways similar to those operating in Drosophila. In addition, the authors review Notch's roles in gliogenesis, embryonic stem cells, and exciting new roles in diversifying neuronal subtypes, regulating neuronal morphology, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal activity, revealing that Notch is not(ch) your ordinary signaling pathway.