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Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
Published on: January 31, 2025
The cell-surface proteins Dally-like and Ihog differentially regulate Hedgehog signaling strength and range during
Dong Yan1, Yihui Wu, Yongfei Yang
1Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and The Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|May 27, 2010
Summary
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in Drosophila development relies on Interference hedgehog (Ihog) and Dally-like (Dlp) proteins. Ihog acts as an exchange factor, while Dlp functions as a signaling co-receptor, modulating Hh range and target activation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hedgehog (Hh) is a crucial morphogen directing cell fate determination through concentration-dependent signaling.
- Hh pathway regulation involves cell-surface proteins Interference hedgehog (Ihog) and Dally-like (Dlp), a glypican.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the distinct roles of Ihog and Dlp in modulating Hh morphogen activity.
- To investigate the interaction between Hh, Ihog, and Dlp in Drosophila development.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression studies of Dlp and Ihog in Drosophila wing discs.
- Analysis of Hh signaling range and target gene activation.
- Investigation of Ihog and Dlp expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Dlp's core protein interacts with Hh, enhancing short-range signaling while diminishing long-range signaling.
- Ihog exhibits biphasic activity, promoting Hh signaling at low levels and inhibiting at high levels, with distinct effects on target gene thresholds.
- Ihog and its family member Boi are essential for maintaining cell-surface Hh localization.
Conclusions:
- Dlp functions as a signaling co-receptor, modulating Hh signal range.
- Ihog acts as an exchange factor, retaining Hh on the cell surface and potentially competing for receptor binding, rather than as a classic co-receptor.
- Complementary expression patterns of Ihog and Dlp suggest coordinated roles in Hh pathway regulation.
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