Notch是在上世纪初期由遗传学家Mohr小组在果蝇体内发现,该基因的功能缺失会在果蝇翅膀的边缘造成缺损,因此用“Notch”(缺损)来命名该基因[1]。Notch信号通路是一个细胞间的信号装置,通过相邻细胞之间notch受体与配体的结合,对于器官发生[2]、干细胞自我更新[3]、干细胞或者前体细胞命运决定[4,5]、细胞分化[6]等均起着至关重要的作用。 Notch was discovered in the early 20th century by the geneticist team Mohr in Drosophila and the loss of function of this gene causes defects at the edges of Drosophila wings, hence the name “” Notch . The Notch signaling pathway is an intercellular signal device that is responsible for organogenesis [2], stem cell self-renewal [3], stem cell or progenitor cell fate through binding of notch receptors and ligands between adjacent cells [4, 5], cell differentiation [6] and so plays a vital role.