A Database of Drosophila Genes & Genomes

FB2013_03, released May 7th, 2013
 

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Citation Dawber, R.J., Hebbes, S., Herpers, B., Docquier, F., van den Heuvel, M. (2005). Differential range and activity of various forms of the Hedgehog protein.  BMC Dev. Biol. 5(): 21. (Export to RIS)
FlyBase ID FBrf0189755
Publication Type Research paper
PubMed ID 16197551
PubMed Abstract The Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins act as extracellular messengers to control and coordinate growth and differentiation. The mechanism by which Hh protein travels across a field of cells, and results in a range of specific effects relating to the distance from the source, has been the subject of much debate. It has been suggested that the range and activity of the pathway can be linked to modifications of the Hh protein, specifically the addition of lipid groups at N- and C-terminal sites.Here we have addressed the potency of different forms of Hh protein by expressing these in Drosophila, where we are able to precisely establish pathway activity and range in naïve but responsive tissues. As expected, a construct that can produce all forms of Hh recapitulates endogenous signaling potencies. In comparison, expression of a form that lacks the cholesterol moiety (HhN) leads to an extended range, but the product is less effective at inducing maximal Hh responses. Expression of a point mutant that lacks the N-terminal palmitate binding site shows that the palmitoylation of Hh is absolutely required for activity in this system.We conclude that the addition of the cholesterol moiety limits the range of the protein and is required for maximal activity, while addition of palmitate is required for all activity. These findings have implications for understanding how Hedgehog proteins move, and thus their potential at influencing distant sites, and concomitantly, how modifications of the signaling protein can affect the efficacy of the response in exposed cells.
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Secondary IDs FBrf0194205
Language of Publication English
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Publication Type Journal
Abbreviation BMC Dev. Biol.
Title BMC Developmental Biology
Publication Year 2002
ISBN/ISSN 1471-213X
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