Hedgehog

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis, influencing cell growth, differentiation, and regeneration. It involves the interaction of Hedgehog proteins with the Patched receptor, which, in the absence of Hedgehog, inhibits the Smoothened (Smo) protein. When Hedgehog binds to Patched, Smoothened is activated, triggering a cascade that ultimately regulates the activity of GLI transcription factors in the nucleus. Disruptions in this pathway can lead to developmental abnormalities and contribute to diseases such as cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Targeting components of the Hedgehog pathway is an ongoing area of research for developing therapies against these conditions.