Morphogen gradient reconstitution reveals Hedgehog pathway design principles
Abstract
To translate insights in developmental biology into medical applications, techniques are needed to ensure correct cell localization. Morphogen gradients allow precise and highly reproducible pattern formation during development. Through in vitro experiments and modeling, Li et al. tested the effects of unusual properties of Hedgehog (HH) signaling. The HH morphogen's receptor, Patched (PTCH), sends an inhibitory signal when no ligand is bound, which is relieved by ligand binding. PTCH also regulates spatial distribution of the signal by sequestering the HH ligand. Furthermore, signaling through the receptor promotes synthesis of more inhibitory receptor. These characteristics help speed gradient formation and explain the robustness of the system to changes in the rate of morphogen production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.aao0645
Entities
People
- Joseph S Markson
- Michael Elowitz
- Pulin Li
- Sheng Wang
- Siheng Chen
- Vipul Vachharajani
Organizations
- American Cancer Society
- California Institute of Technology
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- The Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies