Sonic HedgeHog (Shh) is a protein that plays a crucial role in embryonic development. It is part of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which is essential for the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and tissue patterning. The recombinant form of this protein, particularly the mouse variant with a His tag, is widely used in research to study its functions and mechanisms.
The recombinant mouse Sonic HedgeHog protein typically encompasses amino acids 25-198 and includes a C-terminal His-tag (6xHis) for purification purposes . This construct is often expressed in E. coli or HEK293 cells and purified using affinity chromatography . The molecular weight of the recombinant protein is approximately 21 kDa .
Sonic HedgeHog is vital in guiding the early embryo. It serves as a major inductive signal in the patterning of the ventral neural tube, the anterior-posterior limb axis, and the ventral somites . The protein binds to the Patched receptor, which functions in association with Smoothened to activate the transcription of target genes . In the absence of Sonic HedgeHog, the Patched receptor represses the constitutive signaling activity of Smoothened .
Recombinant Sonic HedgeHog proteins are used extensively in developmental biology and cancer research. They help in understanding the signaling pathways involved in cell differentiation and tissue patterning. The His-tag allows for easy purification and detection of the protein, making it a valuable tool in various experimental setups .