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Abstract

Notch1 and β1-integrins are cell surface receptors involved in the recognition of the niche that surrounds stem cells through cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, respectively. Notch1 is also involved in the control of cell fate choices in the developing central nervous system (Lewis, J. (1998) Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 9, 583-589). Here we report that Notch and β1-integrins are co-expressed and that these proteins cooperate with the epidermal growth factor receptor in neural progenitors. We describe data that suggests that β1-integrins may affect Notch signaling through 1) physical interaction (sequestration) of the Notch intracellular domain fragment by the cytoplasmic tail of the β1-integrin and 2) affecting trafficking of the Notch intracellular domain via caveolin-mediated mechanisms. Our findings suggest that caveolin 1-containing lipid rafts play a role in the coordination and coupling of β1-integrin, Notch1, and tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways. We speculate that this will require the presence of the adequate β1-activating extracellular matrix or growth factors in restricted regions of the central nervous system and namely in neurogenic niches.