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Review
. 2007 Dec;19(6):691-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2007.10.008. Epub 2007 Dec 3.

The primary cilia, a 'Rab-id' transit system for hedgehog signaling

Affiliations
Review

The primary cilia, a 'Rab-id' transit system for hedgehog signaling

Anthony E Oro. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2007 Dec.

Abstract

Intense focus has been centered around how the primary cilia transduces the hedgehog (Hh) signal from smoothened (Smo) to the Gli transcription factors. New data indicate that ligand and signaling lipids help regulate small GTPase-dependent accumulation and activity of signaling components.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

None Perceived

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Trafficking Shh signaling components
Model for the movement of Shh signaling components in the primary cilia. In the absence of Shh, Ptch blocks Smo trafficking to the cilia. Shh binding to Ptch moves Ptch out of the cilia, allowing Smo to become active in the cilia. Oxysterols and the synthetic Smo agonist SAG alter Smo to become Ptch-insensitive and enter the cilia. Distinct Gli dependent protein complexes appear to assemble with the help of small GTPases to allow activator and repressors to form.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Identified small GTPases and their function in primary cilia

References

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