NOTCH assembles a transcriptional repressive complex containing NuRD and PRC1 to repress genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract

NOTCH1 is best known as a master regulator of T-cell development with a strong oncogenic potential in developing T-cells. Upon induction of Notch, cells go through major transcriptional reprogramming that involves both activation and repression of gene expression. Although much is known about the transcriptional programs activated by Notch, the identity of the genes silenced downstream of Notch signaling and the mechanisms by which Notch down-regulates their expression remain unclear. Here, we show that upon induction of Notch signaling, ICN1-CSL-MAML1 ternary complex assembles a transcriptional Notch Repressive Complex (NRC) containing NuRD and PRC1. Genome wide analysis revealed set of genes bound and transcriptionally repressed by the NRC. Remarkably, among those genes, we found master regulators of cell differentiation and cell proliferation such as PAX5, master B-cell regulator and the DNA-binding transcriptional repressor MAD4. We propose that Notch possesses a dual role as direct activator and repressor by serving as a platform for the recruitment of co-activators and co-repressors on target genes and that both activities are required for Notch nuclear functions.