Decoding the PTM-switchboard of Notch

The developmentally indispensable Notch pathway exhibits a high grade of pleiotropism in its biological output. Emerging evidence supports the notion of post-translational modifications (PTMs) as a modus operandi controlling dynamic fine-tuning of Notch activity. Although, the intricacy of Notch post-translational regulation, as well as how these modifications lead to multiples of divergent Notch phenotypes is still largely unknown, numerous studies show a correlation between the site of modification and the output. These include glycosylation of the extracellular domain of Notch modulating ligand binding, and phosphorylation of the PEST domain controlling half-life of the intracellular domain of Notch. Furthermore, several reports show that multiple PTMs can act in concert, or compete for the same sites to drive opposite outputs. However, further investigation of the complex PTM crosstalk is required for a complete understanding of the PTM-mediated Notch switchboard. In this review, we aim to provide a consistent and up-to-date summary of the currently known PTMs acting on the Notch signaling pathway, their functions in different contexts, as well as explore their implications in physiology and disease. Furthermore, we give an overview of the present state of PTM research methodology, and allude to a future with PTM-targeted Notch therapeutics.

PKCζ regulates Notch receptor routing and activity in a Notch signaling-dependent manner

Activation of Notch signaling requires intracellular routing of the receptor, but the mechanisms controlling the distinct steps in the routing process is poorly understood. We identify PKCζ as a key regulator of Notch receptor intracellular routing. When PKCζ was inhibited in the developing chick central nervous system and in cultured myoblasts, Notch-stimulated cells were allowed to undergo differentiation. PKCζ phosphorylates membrane-tethered forms of Notch and regulates two distinct routing steps, depending on the Notch activation state. When Notch is activated, PKCζ promotes re-localization of Notch from late endosomes to the nucleus and enhances production of the Notch intracellular domain, which leads to increased Notch activity. In the non-activated state, PKCζ instead facilitates Notch receptor internalization, accompanied with increased ubiquitylation and interaction with the endosomal sorting protein Hrs. Collectively, these data identify PKCζ as a key regulator of Notch trafficking and demonstrate that distinct steps in intracellular routing are differentially modulated depending on Notch signaling status.