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Sonic Hedgehog Gene Function. The SHH gene provides instructions for making a protein called Sonic Hedgehog. This protein acts as a morphogen allowing cell types to develop when specific levels of Sonic Hedgehog protein are released. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Limb Development The gene encoding the secreted protein Sonic hedgehog Shh is expressed in the polarizing region or zone of polarizing activity a small group of mesenchyme cells at the posterior margin of the vertebrate limb bud. It is a highly conserved evolutionary pathway of signal transmission from the cell membrane to the nucleus.
The function of the Sonic Hedgehog protein cannot be overestimated. Sonic Hedgehog SHH signaling has been most widely known for its role in specifying region and cell-type identity during embryonic morphogenesis. The Hh signaling pathway plays an important role in the embryonic development. SHH belongs to a family of vertebrate genes related to the Drosophila gene hedgehog hh that encodes inductive signals during embryogenesis Echelard et al 1993. It is a highly conserved evolutionary pathway of signal transmission from the cell membrane to the nucleus. This protein acts as a morphogen allowing cell types to develop when specific levels of Sonic Hedgehog protein are released.
The fact that the Sonic hedgehog gene performs the same two functions in the development of gill arches and branchial rays in skate embryos as it does in the development of limbs in mammal embryos.
The Hh signaling pathway plays an important role in the embryonic development. Sonic Hedgehog plays a role in cell growth cell specialization and the normal shaping patterning of the body. Thus this molecule holds great therapeutic potential for biotechnological and biomedical approaches aiming to enhance tissue regeneration or to replace damaged tissues. The Hh signaling pathway plays an important role in the embryonic development. Gene References Into Functions The correct location of sonic hedgehog protein SHH expression is vital to the formation of the motor column. The scientists isolated the gene from the area that genetically instructs the developing limb or limb bud called the zone of polarizing activity ZPA in chicks Gallus gallus.