Delta-like protein 3 (DLL3), as a ligand of the Notch pathway, is specifically and highly expressed on the surface of SCLC (small cell lung cancer) cells. It plays an important role in tumor initiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis of SCLC. Inhibits primary neurogenesis. May be required to divert neurons along a specific differentiation pathway. Plays a role in the formation of somite boundaries during segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm.
