Figure 2.

The fundamental process by which γ-secretase acts on substrates to exert essential functions. γ-secretases cleave the key substrate (e.g. Notch, CD44, ErbB 4, Cadherins) to release an active ICD, which allows ICD to migrate to the nucleus, where it binds to the transcription factors (e.g. CSL and MAML) to activate downstream effector factors. Activation of downstream target genes triggers multiple oncogenic pathways, which triggering cancer progression.