Notch and melanocytes: diverse outcomes from a single signal.

Notch signaling is an evolutionally conserved pathway that serves as a critical regulator of cell fate. From a series of studies, including a report in this issue, researchers have begun to elucidate the critical functions of Notch signaling in the regulation of melanocyte lineage development. With evidence of a recently identified role for Notch signaling in melanomagenesis, characterization of downstream molecular events may offer potential avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.