How does the Sonic hedgehog gene work?

How does the Sonic hedgehog gene work?

The SHH gene provides instructions for making a protein called Sonic Hedgehog. This protein functions as a chemical signal that is essential for embryonic development. Sonic Hedgehog plays a role in cell growth, cell specialization, and the normal shaping (patterning) of the body.

What organisms have Sonic hedgehog gene?

The hedgehog (hh) gene is one of the segment polarity genes that regulate segmental and imaginal disc patterning in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Mammals have three genes with homology to the hh gene. These comprise Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and Desert hedgehog (Dhh).

Why is the Sonic hedgehog gene called that?

A local researcher familiar with the topic explained: Sonic was named as such by the Harvard researcher (Cliff Tabin) because two previous gene family members had been named Indian and dessert hedgehog based on the way fruit flies looked when these gene were mutated.

What does the Sonic hedgehog gene control?

Sonic hedgehog is a protein encoded for by the SHH gene. SHH controls organogenesis and the organization of the central nervous system, limbs, digits and many other parts of the body. Sonic hedgehog is a morphogen that patterns the developing embryo using a concentration gradient characterized by the French Flag model.

When was the Sonic hedgehog gene discovered?

To understand where sonic hedgehog got its name, we need to go back to 1980, when Christine Nusslein-Volhard and Eric Wiechaus first identified the hedgehog gene in Drosophila. They observed that flies with non-functional hedgehog exhibit abnormal segmentation during embryogenesis.

Who is the villain in Sonic?

Dr. Ivo Robotnik
“Sonic The Hedgehog” is now a movie. Carrey plays the evil villain Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a man who wants to control the world. Sonic has come to live a peaceful life on Earth – but the not-so-good doctor isn’t having it.

What controls Hox genes?

Regulation of Hox genes In Drosophila and some insects (but not most animals), Hox genes are regulated by gap genes and pair-rule genes, which are in their turn regulated by maternally-supplied mRNA.

When was Sonic the Hedgehog made?

November 14, 2006
Sonic the Hedgehog/Initial release dates

Who found Sonic hedgehog gene?

Clifford J. Tabin
Clifford J. Tabin, a developmental biologist at Harvard Medical School, suggested they name each newly detected gene after a species of real hedgehog. This scheme stuck for the first three genes, which were designated Indian hedgehog, moonrat hedgehog and desert hedgehog.

Are there mutations in the sonic hedgehog gene?

The mutational spectrum of the sonic hedgehog gene in holoprosencephaly: SHH mutations cause a significant proportion of autosomal dominant holoprosencephaly. Hum Mol Genet. 1999 Dec;8 (13):2479-88.

How does sonic hedgehog protein promote cell growth?

SHH can promote cell growth and cell osteoblastic/cementoblastic differentiation via BMP pathway Findings suggest that oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)derived sonic hedgehog protein (SHH) stimulates angiogenesis at the tumor invasive front.

Why is sonic hedgehog important to human development?

This protein functions as a chemical signal that is essential for embryonic development. Sonic Hedgehog plays a role in cell growth, cell specialization, and the normal shaping (patterning) of the body. This protein is important for development of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), eyes, limbs, and many other parts of the body.

What is the role of Sonic hedgehog in prostate cancer?

Shifting the balance from paracrine towards autocrine signalling of the hedgehog pathway is important in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate carcinoma. Data report mutations in the KIF7 gene, a known regulator of sonic hedgehog signaling and a putative ciliary motor protein, in Joubert syndrome patients.