Learning from Jekyll to control Hyde: Hedgehog signaling in development and cancer.
The Hedgehog (Hh) cascade controls cell proliferation, differentiation and patterning of tissues during embryogenesis but is largely suppressed in the adult. The Hh pathway can become reactivated in cancer. Here, we assimilate data from recent studies to understand how and when the Hh pathway is turned on to aid the neoplastic process. Hh signaling is now known to have a role in established tumors, enabling categorization of tumors based on the role Hh signaling plays in their growth. This categorization has relevance for prognosis and targeted therapeutics. In the first category, abnormal Hh signaling initiates the tumor. In the second category, Hh signaling helps maintain the tumor. In the third category, Hh signaling is implicated but its role is not yet defined.
Barakat
Monique T
MT
Department of Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Clark Center West W252, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5439, USA.
Humke
Eric W
EW
Scott
Matthew P
MP
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins