The Notch gene encodes a cell surface protein that regulates cell fate choices in vertebrates
and invertebrates. Given the wide variety of cell types influenced by Notch, it would seem
that the signal relayed through Notch activation is not an instructive one per se. Rather,
Notch signaling is thought to influence the cell's ability to respond to instructive signals
responsible for specific cell fates. Expression and functional studies of Notch support this
idea; however, the possibility of additional functions for Notch cannot be excluded. Much of …