[
WormBook,
2005]
Receptors of the LIN-12 /Notch family mediate cell-cell interactions during animal development, and aberrations in LIN-12 /Notch signaling have been implicated in human disease. Studies in C. elegans have been instrumental in defining the basic features of the LIN-12 /Notch pathway, the role of LIN-12 /Notch proteins as receptors for intercellular signals, the mechanism of signal transduction, and the regulation of LIN-12 /Notch signaling during cell fate decisions. This chapter is focused on detailing how the "awesome power of C. elegans genetics" has identified many core components and modulators of LIN-12 /Notch activity.