Hedgehog Signaling

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a cellular pathway that is essential for development and tissue homeostasis. This pathway, first discovered in the fruit fly, is so named because it was originally discovered to be involved in the formation of spines on the animal's body, known as “hedgehogs”. In humans and other animals, the Hh signaling pathway is also essential for proper development, playing a role in the formation of a variety of organs and tissues, including skeletal muscles, skin, intestines and the nervous system. If there is a malfunction in this pathway, it can cause genetic disorders and cancers. The Hh signaling pathway is a major research focus in the field of oncology, as it is believed that understanding how it works can lead to new drugs that target cancers associated with the pathway.