The Sonic hedgehog pathway independently controls the patterning, proliferation and survival of neuroepithelial cells by regulating Gli activity.
During CNS development, the proliferation of progenitors must be coordinated with the pattern of neuronal subtype generation. In the ventral neural tube, Sonic hedgehog acts as a long range morphogen to organise the pattern of cell differentiation by controlling the activity of Gli transcription factors. Here, we provide evidence that the same pathway also acts directly at long range to promote the proliferation and survival of progenitor cells. Blockade of Shh signaling or inhibition of Gli activity results in cell autonomous decreases in progenitor proliferation and survival. Conversely, positive Gli activity promotes proliferation and rescues the effects of inhibiting Shh signaling. Analysis of neural cells indicates that Shh/Gli signaling regulates the G1 phase of cell cycle and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl2. Furthermore, Shh signaling independently regulates patterning, proliferation and survival of neural cells, thus Shh/Gli activity couples these separate cellular responses of progenitors to coordinate neural development.
Cayuso
Jordi
J
Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, CSIC, Parc Científic de Barcelona, C/Josep Samitier 1-5, Spain.
Ulloa
Fausto
F
Cox
Barny
B
Briscoe
James
J
Martí
Elisa
E
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1