Health Topics

Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
Genes →
NOTCH3 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/notch3/

NOTCH3 gene

notch receptor 3

Normal Function

The NOTCH3 gene provides instructions for making a protein with one end (the intracellular end) that remains inside the cell, a middle (transmembrane) section that spans the cell membrane, and another end (the extracellular end) that projects from the outer surface of the cell. The NOTCH3 protein is called a receptor protein because certain other proteins, called ligands, attach (bind) to the extracellular end of NOTCH3, fitting like a key into a lock. This binding causes detachment of the intracellular end of the NOTCH3 protein, called the NOTCH3 intracellular domain, or NICD. The NICD enters the cell nucleus and helps control the activity (transcription) of other genes.

The NOTCH3 protein plays a key role in the function and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells, which are muscle cells that surround blood vessels. This protein is thought to be essential for the maintenance of blood vessels, including those that supply blood to the brain.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy

More than 270 mutations in the NOTCH3 gene have been found to cause cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, commonly known as CADASIL. Almost all of these mutations change a single protein building block (amino acid) in the NOTCH3 protein. The amino acid involved in most mutations is cysteine. The addition or deletion of a cysteine molecule in a certain area of the NOTCH3 protein, known as the EGF-like domain, presumably affects NOTCH3 function in vascular smooth muscle cells. Disruption of NOTCH3 functioning can lead to the self-destruction (apoptosis) of these cells. Damage to vascular smooth muscle cells is thought to cause recurrent strokes and other signs and symptoms of CADASIL.

More About This Health Condition

Lateral meningocele syndrome

At least six NOTCH3 gene mutations have been identified in people with lateral meningocele syndrome. This disorder affects the nervous system, the bones and muscles, and other body systems. The condition is characterized by abnormalities known as lateral meningoceles. Lateral meningoceles are protrusions of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord (known as the meninges) through gaps in the bones of the spine (vertebrae). The protrusions are most common and typically larger in the lower spine. The meningoceles associated with this disorder may damage the nerves that spread from the spine to the rest of the body.

The mutations that cause lateral meningocele syndrome occur at the end of the gene in a region known as exon 33. These gene mutations result in a NOTCH3 protein with an abnormally short (truncated) NICD. The shortened protein is missing the portion that normally causes the breakdown of the NICD after it has performed its function in the cell nucleus and is no longer needed. As a result, the presence of the NICD in the cell is prolonged, and the protein continues to affect the activity of other genes. However, the result of this prolonged NICD activity and its connection to the specific features of lateral meningocele syndrome are not well understood.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • CADASIL
  • CASIL
  • Neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 3
  • NOTC3_HUMAN
  • Notch homolog 3
  • Notch homolog 3 (Drosophila)

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Zhou Z, Shin HK, Louvi A, Kim HH, Savitz SI, Liao JK, Salomone S, Ayata C, Moskowitz MA, Artavanis-Tsakonas S. Linking Notch signaling to ischemic stroke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 25;105(12):4856-61. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0709867105. Epub 2008 Mar 17. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Dichgans M. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy: phenotypic and mutational spectrum. J Neurol Sci. 2002 Nov 15;203-204:77-80. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00270-8. Citation on PubMed
  • Ejaz R, Carter M, Gripp K. NOTCH3-Related Lateral Meningocele Syndrome. 2016 Jun 23 [updated 2022 May 5]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK368476/ Citation on PubMed
  • Gripp KW, Robbins KM, Sobreira NL, Witmer PD, Bird LM, Avela K, Makitie O, Alves D, Hogue JS, Zackai EH, Doheny KF, Stabley DL, Sol-Church K. Truncating mutations in the last exon of NOTCH3 cause lateral meningocele syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Feb;167A(2):271-81. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.36863. Epub 2014 Nov 13. Citation on PubMed
  • Haritunians T, Boulter J, Hicks C, Buhrman J, DiSibio G, Shawber C, Weinmaster G, Nofziger D, Schanen C. CADASIL Notch3 mutant proteins localize to the cell surface and bind ligand. Circ Res. 2002 Mar 22;90(5):506-8. doi: 10.1161/01.res.0000013796.73742.c8. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Kalaria RN, Viitanen M, Kalimo H, Dichgans M, Tabira T; CADASIL Group of Vas-Cog. The pathogenesis of CADASIL: an update. J Neurol Sci. 2004 Nov 15;226(1-2):35-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2004.09.008. Citation on PubMed
  • Louvi A, Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Artavanis-Tsakonas S. CADASIL: a critical look at a Notch disease. Dev Neurosci. 2006;28(1-2):5-12. doi: 10.1159/000090748. Citation on PubMed
  • Rafalowska J, Dziewulska D, Fidzianska A. CADASIL: what component of the vessel wall is really a target for Notch 3 gene mutations? Neurol Res. 2004 Jul;26(5):558-62. doi: 10.1179/01610425016164. Citation on PubMed
  • Rutten JW, Haan J, Terwindt GM, van Duinen SG, Boon EM, Lesnik Oberstein SA. Interpretation of NOTCH3 mutations in the diagnosis of CADASIL. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2014 Jun;14(5):593-603. doi: 10.1586/14737159.2014.922880. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.