Figure 4

EGFL7 and Notch signaling. Notch receptors are expressed on the cellular surface as heterodimers connected by non-covalent interactions. (a) Upon binding of Jagged-type ligands expressed on neighboring cells in trans, Notch receptors undergo a series of proteolytic cleavage events releasing the NICDs of the receptors and allowing their translocation into the nucleus. (b) If EGFL7 is present in the surrounding of the cells, it competes with Jagged for Notch binding thereby attenuating Notch signaling.