NOTCH1 Gene
What is gene ontology?
Gene ontology (GO) is a representation of the molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular components that best describe the gene and those it interacts with [1]. These functions, processes, and components are further divided into classes (terms, concepts, or annotations) that describe the current scientific body of knowledge [1]. GO is important for the discovery and investigation of biological relationships within a cell or entire tissue.
What are the NOTCH1 molecular functions?
Binding (39.7%) and catalytic activity (31.1%) are the most significant NOTCH1 molecular functions [2]. This is not a surprise as NOTCH1 functions as a transmembrane receptor that binds ligands in order to catalyze an intracellular signaling cascade. Interestingly, transporter activity (6.7%) takes up a large portion of the less significant categories despite NOTCH1 not being known as a transporter [2]. This indicates it may regulate transporters or chaperones.
What are the NOTCH1 biological processes?
The most significant biological processes of NOTCH1 include cellular process (24.5%), metabolic process (15.2%), and biological regulation (14.6%) [2]. Unfortunately, this is not incredibly specific. By clicking on the most popular GO terms, further specification results. For example, clicking on biological process leads to the major terms cellular metabolic process (24.3%), cellular response to stimulus (13.5%), and cellular component organization (13.3%) [2]. Clicking on cellular metabolic process leads to cellular macromolecule metabolic process (20.8%), cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process (16.3%), and cellular aromatic compound metabolic process (14.7%) [2]. Continuing this process until only one term remains leads to the MAPK cascade [2]. Using the same technique with the other two categories found upon initial analysis leads to the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway and the MAPK cascade again [2].
What are the NOTCH1 cellular components?
Cell part (22.6%), cell (22.6%), and organelle (14.9%) are most significant NOTCH1 cellular components [2]. Using the same technique as above intracellular part, cell part, and nuclear part are achieved [2].
What are the NOTCH1 protein classes?
The most significant protein classes of NOTCH1 are metabolite inter-conversion enzyme (14.6%), protein modifying enzyme (12.0%), and gene-specific transcriptional regulator (11.7%) [2]. Notably, calcium binding protein constitutes 7.4% of the GO analysis [2].
Conclusion
Through gene ontology, several previously established findings were confirmed. NOTCH1 has both binding and catalytic activity, it is related to the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, and is involved in calcium-binding. However, several findings provide insight into new roles of NOTCH including cellular transport and metabolite inter-conversion.