DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Cancer Genetics

Research Abstract

We are interested in the mechanisms that control cell fates during development and pathogenesis. We have been focusing our attention on the Notch signaling pathway. Notch signaling defines an evolutionary ancient cell interaction mechanism, which plans a fundamental role in metazoan development. Signals exchange between neighboring cells through the Notch receptor can amplify and consolidate molecular differences, which eventually dictate cell fates. Thus Notch signals control how cells respond to intrinsic or extrinsic developmental cues that are necessary to unfold specific developmental programs. Notch signal modulation was shown to affect the implementation of differentiation, proliferation and apoptotic programs, providing a general developmental tool to influence organ formation and morphogenesis. We have been exploring the molecular biology of notch signaling and its involvement two known human syndromes as well as the onset and maintenance of neoplastic fate.

Publications

• Hurlbut GD, Kankel MW, Lake RJ, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Crossing paths with Notch in the hyper-network.Curr Opin Cell Biol 2007 Apr;19(2):166-75.
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• Klinakis A, Szabolcs M, Politi K, Kiaris H, Artavanis-Tsakonas S, Efstratiadis A.Myc is a Notch1 transcriptional target and a requisite for Notch1-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Jun 13;103(24):9262-7.
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• Louvi A, Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.CADASIL: a critical look at a Notch disease.Dev Neurosci 2006;28(1-2):5-12.
  16508299
• Mourikis P, Hurlbut GD, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Enigma, a mitochondrial protein affecting lifespan and oxidative stress response in Drosophila.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Jan 31;103(5):1307-12.
  16434470
• Mukherjee A, Veraksa A, Bauer A, Rosse C, Camonis J, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Regulation of Notch signalling by non-visual beta-arrestin.Nat Cell Biol 2005 Dec;7(12):1091-101.
  16284625
• Fre S, Huyghe M, Mourikis P, Robine S, Louvard D, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Notch signals control the fate of immature progenitor cells in the intestine.Nature 2005 Jun 16;435(7044):964-8.
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• Veraksa A, Bauer A, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Analyzing protein complexes in Drosophila with tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry.Dev Dyn 2005 Mar;232(3):827-34.
  15704125
• Kiaris H, Politi K, Grimm LM, Szabolcs M, Fisher P, Efstratiadis A, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Modulation of notch signaling elicits signature tumors and inhibits hras1-induced oncogenesis in the mouse mammary epithelium.Am J Pathol 2004 Aug;165(2):695-705.
  15277242
• Qi H, Rand MD, Wu X, Sestan N, Wang W, Rakic P, Xu T, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Processing of the notch ligand delta by the metalloprotease Kuzbanian.Science 1999 Jan 1;283(5398):91-4.
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• Blaumueller CM, Qi H, Zagouras P, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.Intracellular cleavage of Notch leads to a heterodimeric receptor on the plasma membrane.Cell 1997 Jul 25;90(2):281-91.
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