Notch3, another Notch in T cell development.

Different members of the Notch family have been described to play a critical role in T cell lineage commitment and T cell development and functions. Nevertheless, whether they act as redundant molecules, by affecting the same molecular mechanisms, or play distinct roles in T cell differentiation and/or functions is not clear. Altered Notch3 signaling impairs the developmentally regulated interplay between pre-TCR and NF-kappaB signaling and allows the disruption of early thymocyte differentiation and the development of T cell leukemia, thus identifying the crucial role of Notch3 receptor in the coordination of T cell differentiation and growth control.