Notch genes

Patent Pending Notch (DSL) proteins are a family of transmembrane proteins with repeated extracellular EGF domains and the notch (or DSL) domains. These proteins are involved in lateral inhibition in embryogenesis. The Notch signaling network is an evolutionarily conserved intercellular signaling pathway that regulates interactions between physically adjacent cells. In Drosophila, Notch interaction with its cell-bound ligands (delta, serrate) establishes an intercellular signaling pathway that plays a key role in development. This same pathway operates to mediate binary cell fate decisions in C. elegans development.