Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
07:26
Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
Published on: January 31, 2025
Modulators of the hedgehog signaling pathway
Philipp Heretsch1, Lito Tzagkaroulaki, Athanassios Giannis
1Institut for Organische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
|August 17, 2010
Summary
Hedgehog (hh) signaling is crucial for development and tissue repair but also drives cancer stem cell proliferation. Inhibiting hh signaling with small molecules like cyclopamine offers a promising new cancer therapy approach.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hedgehog (hh) signaling is a critical regulator of embryonic development, controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue patterning.
- In adults, hh signaling maintains stem cells and aids in tissue repair and regeneration.
- Aberrant hh signaling is implicated in various cancers, including medulloblastoma, basal cell carcinoma, and others, by promoting tumor stem cell growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of hedgehog (hh) signaling in both normal development and cancer.
- To explore the history and mechanism of cyclopamine, the first identified hh signaling inhibitor.
- To present current potent modulators of the hh pathway for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of hedgehog (hh) signaling pathways.
- Analysis of the role of hh signaling in embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis.
- Examination of hh signaling's involvement in various human cancers.
- Review of small molecule inhibitors of hh signaling, including cyclopamine.
Main Results:
- Hedgehog (hh) signaling is essential for embryonic development and tissue maintenance.
- Dysregulated hh signaling is a key driver in multiple human cancers, particularly promoting tumor stem cell proliferation.
- Small molecule inhibitors targeting hh signaling, exemplified by cyclopamine, are emerging as a significant therapeutic strategy in oncology.
Conclusions:
- Modulation of hedgehog (hh) signaling presents a promising therapeutic avenue for combating hh-dependent cancers.
- Continued research into hh signaling and its modulators holds potential for significant advancements in cancer treatment.
- The field of hh signaling research continues to expand, with ongoing developments in understanding its complex roles and therapeutic applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...