Crowe R, Niswander L
Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Dev Biol. 1998 Mar 1;195(1):70-4. doi: 10.1006/dbio.1997.8844.
Notch and its ligands are molecules known to be involved in many cell fate decisions. Due to the proposed role of this signaling system in the choice between feather and smooth skin fate in the embryonic chick, we sought to test whether Notch signaling may also play a role in determining scale fate. Notch-1 and -2, Serrate-1 and -2, and Delta-1 are expressed in the scales throughout their development. Misexpression of chick Delta-1 using a replication-competent retrovirus results in regions of scale loss. In addition, feather buds are often observed on some of the scuta scales. These results suggest a model in which Delta can act as an inhibitor of skin appendage fate as well as a promoter of feather fate.
Notch及其配体是已知参与许多细胞命运决定的分子。由于该信号系统在胚胎期小鸡羽毛与光滑皮肤命运抉择中所起的作用，我们试图测试Notch信号是否也在决定鳞片命运中发挥作用。Notch-1和-2、锯齿蛋白-1和-2以及Delta-1在鳞片发育的全过程中均有表达。使用具有复制能力的逆转录病毒对小鸡Delta-1进行错误表达会导致鳞片缺失区域。此外，在一些盾鳞上经常能观察到羽毛芽。这些结果提示了一个模型，其中Delta既可以作为皮肤附属器命运的抑制剂，也可以作为羽毛命运的促进剂。
