Notchless encodes a novel WD40-repeat-containing protein that modulates Notch signaling activity. |
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Authors: | J Royet T Bouwmeester and S M Cohen |
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Institution: | European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany. |
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Abstract: | Signaling by Notch family receptors is involved in many cell-fate decisions during development. Several modifiers of Notch activity have been identified, suggesting that regulation of Notch signaling is complex. In a genetic screen for modifiers of Notch activity, we identified a gene encoding a novel WD40-repeat protein. The gene is called Notchless, because loss-of-function mutant alleles dominantly suppress the wing notching caused by certain Notch alleles. Reducing Notchless activity increases Notch activity. Overexpression of Notchless in Xenopus or Drosophila appears to have a dominant-negative effect in that it also increases Notch activity. Biochemical studies show that Notchless binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Notch, suggesting that it serves as a direct regulator of Notch signaling activity. |
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