Hedgehog Signaling Pathway


The Hedgehog pathway is responsible for regulating and coordinating cellular growth and development in the embryo. Under specific time or position-dependent stimuli, cells secrete the hedgehog family ligands (sonic, desert, and indian), whose binding allows the membrane receptors Patched and Smoothened to associate on the primary cilium. This association frees Gli, which translocates to the nucleus and triggers expression of various transcription factors for cell growth. Ultimately, the Hedgehog signaling pathway is fundamental for proper embryo development and defects have been linked to certain types of cancer.