General outlines of the molecular genetics of the Notch signalling pathway in Drosophila melanogaster: a review

摘要

Cell-cell interactions mediated by the Notch signalling pathway play critical roles at multiple stages of development, and, I think, in virtually all cell-cell contacts in both invertebrate and vertebrate animals in a highly conserved manner (Simpson 1994; Artavanis-Tsakonas et al. 1995; Schweisguth 2000; Fortini 2001).In Drosophila melanogaster, where the Notch signalling pathway has been longest, best and most throughout studied, the Notch (N) gene occurs as a single copy in the genome, locating on the X chromosome in the 3C7 band on the cytological map, and in the 1–3.0 position on the genetic map (Fly Base report).In this review I briefly give a general outline of the main features of the Notch signalling pathway in Drosophila melanogaster.