In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 7 ( 2018-01-23)
Abstract:
As an embryo develops, its cells divide many times until they specialize to become distinct cell types that make up the tissues and organs. To do so, the cells need to communicate, and some send signals by making and releasing proteins that travel to more distant cells. One such signaling pathway is called Hedgehog signaling. This pathway is necessary so that the tissue and organs develop properly. If faulty, it can stop the embryo from developing properly and even lead to diseases such as cancer. Hedgehog signaling is initiated by the Hedgehog protein, which needs to be released from the cells that produce the message to transport the signal to the target cells. A protein called Dispatched helps Hedgehog to get free and travel to its destination. Without Dispatched, Hedgehog cannot be released and the embryos will not develop. Now, Stewart, Marada et al. wanted to find out if and how Dispatched itself is controlled by studying embryo cells of mice. The results showed that a protein called Furin activates Dispatched by splitting it at a specific point. When the break-point on Dispatch was genetically modified, Furin could no longer cleave the protein. As a consequence, Dispatched did not reach the correct location within cells to help Hedgehog move away from signal-releasing cells. This suggests that Furin is an essential protein of the Hedgehog pathway. A next step will be to see if this is also the case in humans. Some cancer cells can produce large amounts of Hedgehog protein, which makes tumors grow faster. A better understanding of Hedgehog signaling may help to find new cancer therapies that can block this pathway in cancer cells.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.001
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.002
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.003
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.004
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.005
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.006
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.008
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.007
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.009
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.010
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.011
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.012
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.013
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.014
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.015
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.016
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.017
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.019
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.31678.020
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3