Functions as a receptor for membrane-bound ligands Jagged-1 (JAG1), Jagged-2 (JAG2) and Delta-1 (DLL1) to regulate cell-fate determination (PubMed:10393120). Upon ligand activation through the released notch intracellular domain (NICD) it forms a transcriptional activator complex with RBPJ/RBPSUH and activates genes of the enhancer of split locus (PubMed:10393120, PubMed:18710934). Affects the implementation of differentiation, proliferation and apoptotic programs (PubMed:10393120, PubMed:18710934). May play an essential role in postimplantation development, probably in some aspect of cell specification and/or differentiation (By similarity). In collaboration with RELA/p65 enhances NFATc1 promoter activity and positively regulates RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation (PubMed:18710934). Positively regulates self-renewal of liver cancer cells (By similarity). Heterodimer of a C-terminal fragment N(TM) and an N-terminal fragment N(EC) which are probably linked by disulfide bonds. Interacts with MAML1, MAML2 and MAML3 which act as transcriptional coactivators for NOTCH2. Interacts with RELA/p65. Interacts with HIF1AN. Interacts (via ANK repeats) with TCIM, the interaction inhibits the nuclear translocation of NOTCH2 N2ICD (By similarity). Interacts with CUL1, RBX1, SKP1 and FBXW7 that are SCF(FBXW7) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex components. Interacts with MINAR1; this interaction increases MINAR1 stability and function (By similarity). Interacts with MDK; this interaction mediates a nuclear accumulation of NOTCH2 and therefore activation of NOTCH2 signaling leading to interaction between HES1 and STAT3 (By similarity). Following proteolytical processing NICD is translocated to the nucleus. Retained at the cytoplasm by TCIM. Expressed in the brain, liver, kidney, neuroepithelia, somites, optic vesicles and branchial arches, but not heart. Expressed in the embryonic ventricular zone, the postnatal ependymal cells, and the choroid plexus throughout embryonic and postnatal development. Synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum as an inactive form which is proteolytically cleaved by a furin-like convertase in the trans-Golgi network before it reaches the plasma membrane to yield an active, ligand-accessible form (PubMed:11459941, PubMed:11518718). Cleavage results in a C-terminal fragment N(TM) and a N-terminal fragment N(EC) (PubMed:11459941, PubMed:11518718). Following ligand binding, it is cleaved by TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) to yield a membrane-associated intermediate fragment called notch extracellular truncation (NEXT) (By similarity). This fragment is then cleaved by presenilin dependent gamma-secretase to release a notch-derived peptide containing the intracellular domain (NICD) from the membrane (PubMed:11459941, PubMed:11518718). Hydroxylated by HIF1AN. Can be either O-glucosylated or O-xylosylated at Ser-613 by POGLUT1. Phosphorylated by GSK3. GSK3-mediated phosphorylation is necessary for NOTCH2 recognition by FBXW7, ubiquitination and degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Belongs to the NOTCH family.