Hedgehog signaling in gastric physiology and cancer

Juanita L. Merchant, Milena Saqui-Salces, Mohamad El-Zaatari

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Hedgehog family of ligands was originally identified in mutagenesis screens of Drosophila embryos. Hedgehog signaling in multiple tissues is important during embryonic development. A common theme regarding Hedgehog expression in adult tissues is that tissue injury reactivates the developmental pattern of expression. In most instances, this appears to be important to initiate tissue repair. In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where epithelial cells are constantly replenished from progenitor populations, Hedgehog signaling also appears to be essential for regeneration. By contrast, reactivated Hedgehog signaling in adult tissues does not automatically predispose the tissue to transformation, but instead requires sustained tissue injury in the form of chronic inflammation. In this chapter, we review what is known about Hedgehog ligands and signaling during development of relevant organs, and discuss how the patterns of Hedgehog regulation are recapitulated in the GI tract during embryogenesis, adult homeostasis, and neoplastic transformation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProgress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
PublisherElsevier B.V.
Pages133-156
Number of pages24
EditionC
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameProgress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
NumberC
Volume96

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Development
  • Helicobacter
  • Parietal cell
  • Primary cilia
  • Shh

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

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