In the 1970s, a gene related to how our brain grows our limbs was given the name “hedgehog” in relation to the spiky appearance of fruit flies with a defective version of the gene. In 1995, three strains of the “hedgehog” gene were found and named “Desert-Hedgehog”, “Indian-Hedgehog”, and amusingly, “Sonic-Hedgehog”. In recent years the “Sonic-Hedgehog” gene has become the subject of much focus, due to its relation to stem-cell division and the development of certain cancers.
Attributes | Values |
---|
rdfs:label
| |
rdfs:comment
| - In the 1970s, a gene related to how our brain grows our limbs was given the name “hedgehog” in relation to the spiky appearance of fruit flies with a defective version of the gene. In 1995, three strains of the “hedgehog” gene were found and named “Desert-Hedgehog”, “Indian-Hedgehog”, and amusingly, “Sonic-Hedgehog”. In recent years the “Sonic-Hedgehog” gene has become the subject of much focus, due to its relation to stem-cell division and the development of certain cancers.
|
dcterms:subject
| |
dbkwik:sonic/prope...iPageUsesTemplate
| |
abstract
| - In the 1970s, a gene related to how our brain grows our limbs was given the name “hedgehog” in relation to the spiky appearance of fruit flies with a defective version of the gene. In 1995, three strains of the “hedgehog” gene were found and named “Desert-Hedgehog”, “Indian-Hedgehog”, and amusingly, “Sonic-Hedgehog”. In recent years the “Sonic-Hedgehog” gene has become the subject of much focus, due to its relation to stem-cell division and the development of certain cancers. Sonic Hedgehog Homolog (SHH) is one of three proteins in the mammalian hedgehog family, the others being desert hedgehog (DHH) and Indian hedgehog (IHH). SHH is the best studied ligand of the hedgehog signaling pathway. It plays a key role in regulating vertebrate organogenesis, such as in the growth of digits on limbs and organization of the brain. Sonic Hedgehog is the best established example of a morphogen as defined by Lewis Wolpert's French flag model—a molecule that diffuses to form a concentration gradient and has different effects on the cells of the developing embryo depending on its concentration. SHH remains important in the adult. It controls cell division of adult stem cells and has been implicated in development of some cancers.
|