Abstract
Here we report the isolation of a rat cDNA clone, Jagged, which we show encodes a ligand for vertebrate Notch. Our conclusion is based on three observations. First, sequence analysis reveals substantial homology between Jagged and invertebrate ligands for the LIN-12/Notch proteins. Second, in situ hybridization of rat embryos identifies both distinct and overlapping patterns of gene expression for Jagged with those for Notch1, Notch2, and Notch3. Finally, the biological activity of Jagged was tested using a cell culture assay in which Jagged activates rat Notch1 expressed in myoblasts and prevents muscle cell differentiation. Our data support the hypothesis that Notch-ligand interactions function in maintaining mammalian cells in an undifferentiated state.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Blotting, Northern
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Cloning, Molecular
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DNA, Complementary
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Embryo, Mammalian
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Embryo, Nonmammalian
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Female
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Ganglia, Spinal / embryology
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Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism
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Gene Expression
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Gene Library
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Glutathione Transferase / biosynthesis
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In Situ Hybridization
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Invertebrates
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Jagged-1 Protein
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L Cells
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Ligands
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Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Pregnancy
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Rats
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Receptors, Notch
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Schwann Cells / metabolism*
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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Spinal Cord / embryology
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Spinal Cord / metabolism*
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Transfection
Substances
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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DNA, Complementary
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Jag1 protein, mouse
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Jag1 protein, rat
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Jagged-1 Protein
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Ligands
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Membrane Proteins
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Receptors, Notch
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Serrate-Jagged Proteins
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Glutathione Transferase
Associated data
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GENBANK/L38483
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GENBANK/U61276