Roughing up Smoothened: chemical modulators of hedgehog signaling

J Biol. 2002 Nov 6;1(2):8. doi: 10.1186/1475-4924-1-8.

Abstract

Small-molecule antagonists of Hedgehog-pathway signaling, such as cyclopamine, have been known for some time. Now, small-molecule agonists of the Hedgehog pathway have also been identified. The finding that both antagonists and agonists target the protein Smoothened supports the emerging hypothesis that Smoothened may be regulated by endogenous small molecules.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Humans
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Veratrum Alkaloids / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • SMO protein, human
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Trans-Activators
  • Veratrum Alkaloids
  • cyclopamine