Sonic hedgehog

The sonic hedgehog protein (SHH) is coded by the SHH gene. The protein is named after the character Sonic the Hedgehog.

This key signalling molecule regulates embryonic development in all animals. SHH controls organogenesis and the organization of the central nervous system, limbs, digits and many other parts of the body. Sonic hedgehog is a morphogen that patterns the developing embryo using a concentration gradient.

Abnormal activation of SHH signalling in adult tissues causes various types of cancers. General readers might look for a simplified account by an expert author. Carey, Nessa 2017. Junk DNA: a journey through the dark matter of the genome. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231539418, p202.

 References 

Category:Developmental biology
Category:Proteins