Notch信号通路在头颈部肿瘤中的研究进展

Research progress on Notch signaling pathway in head and neck cancer

Notch家族是一组进化上高度保守的跨膜蛋白,广泛存在于细胞表面,对细胞生物活性起重要作用。Notch信号通路参与调控机体正常细胞的分化、增殖和凋亡。Notch信号通路的异常激活在一定程度上能够促进细胞的过度增殖和恶性转化,有效抑制Notch信号通路的活性可抑制肿瘤细胞的生长和增殖,并能够诱导肿瘤细胞的凋亡,为肿瘤治疗开辟新途径。现有研究证实Notch信号通路的活化和抑制与头颈部肿瘤密切相关。通过对Notch信号通路进行调节,可能为头颈部肿瘤的治疗提供新的靶点。本文对Notch信号通路的结构特点、功能及其在头颈部肿瘤中的研究进展进行综述。

Notch pathway is highly conservative transmembrane protein in evolutionarily,exists extensively in a variety of cells. It plays a crucial role in the biological activities of cells. Notch signaling pathway was involved in regulation of proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis. Abnormal activation of the Notch signaling pathway can promote a certain degree of excessive cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Effectively inhibit the activity of the Notch signaling pathway can inhibit tumor cell growth and proliferation,and can induce apoptosis in tumor cells,which has opened new avenues for the treatment of cancer. Existing studies have confirmed the activation and inhibition of Notch signaling pathway is closely associated with head and neck cancer. By adjusting the Notch signaling pathway may provide a new target for the treatment of head and neck cancer. This article reviews the characterization and function of Notch signal,specially research progress on Notch signal in head and neck cancer.