Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

10.3K
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...
10.3K
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

1.8K
1.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immunoaffinity-Based Protocol to Enrich Nervous System Cell-, Lung Alveolar Cell-, and Hepatocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles From Human Plasma.

Journal of extracellular biologyĀ·2026
Same author

Insights from changes in NDEV biomarkers of metabolism: Effects of PPARĪ³ and GLP1 receptor agonists on brain metabolism.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismĀ·2026
Same author

Tissue-Specific Extracellular Vesicles Enriched From Circulation: Exploring the Liquid Biopsy Perspective.

Journal of extracellular biologyĀ·2026
Same author

Alzheimer's Imaging Consortium.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's AssociationĀ·2025
Same author

Molecular profiling of neuronal extracellular vesicles reveals brain tissue specific signals.

ExposomeĀ·2025
Same author

ATP Synthase Abundance in Neuronal Extracellular Vesicles Reflects Changes in the Mitochondria of Parent Neurons.

Journal of extracellular vesiclesĀ·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.1K

Probing extracellular Sonic hedgehog in neurons.

Erez Eitan1, Ronald S Petralia2, Ya-Xian Wang2

  • 1Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

Biology Open
|July 9, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) proteins in rat neurons are found on neurites and filopodia, often within extracellular vesicles (EVs). Their bioactivity within these EVs remains complex and requires further investigation.

Keywords:
Extracellular vesicleFilopodiaHippocampal neuronsSonic hedgehog

More Related Videos

Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord
12:23

Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord

Published on: May 25, 2010

17.7K
Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients
08:10

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Published on: December 14, 2015

11.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.1K
Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord
12:23

Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord

Published on: May 25, 2010

17.7K
Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients
08:10

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Published on: December 14, 2015

11.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein bioactivity is dependent on N-terminal palmitoylation and C-terminal cholesterol modification.
  • Lipid-modified Shh is lipophilic, limiting free diffusion and suggesting alternative transport mechanisms like extracellular vesicles (EVs) or filopodia.
  • Previous work established Shh expression in hippocampal neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization and transport of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in hippocampal and cerebellar neurons of postnatal rats.
  • To characterize Shh-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cultured hippocampal neurons.
  • To assess the bioactivity of Shh within EVs isolated from neuronal cultures.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy in postnatal rat brain tissue (hippocampus and cerebellum).
  • Culturing of hippocampal neurons and isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the culture medium.
  • Biochemical analysis and bioactivity assays of purified EVs.

Main Results:

  • Shh was primarily localized near or on the membrane surface of small neurites and filopodia in P2 rat hippocampus and cerebellum.
  • Shh-immunolabeled vesicles were observed outside cultured hippocampal neurons.
  • Shh-containing EVs of various sizes were identified via immunoelectron microscopy and biochemical analysis.
  • No significant Shh bioactivity was detected in EVs purified from the medium of cultured hippocampal neurons, contrasting with EVs from cells overexpressing an N-terminal Shh fragment.

Conclusions:

  • Shh protein is associated with neurites, filopodia, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in developing rat neurons.
  • The bioactivity of Shh within neuronal EVs is not readily measurable under the tested conditions, indicating complex transcellular signaling mechanisms.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the functional role and transport dynamics of Shh in neuronal communication.