Repression of Smoothened by Patched-Dependent (Pro-)Vitamin D3 Secretion
2006
How Vitamin D3 Affects Cell Development
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Maarten F. Bijlsma, Maikel P. Peppelenbosch
Hypothesis
When Ptch1 is unencumbered by Hh, it pumps a cholesterol-like molecule into the extracellular space, where it inhibits Smo.
Conclusion
The study concluded that Ptch1 pumps (pro)-vitamin D3 into the extracellular space to inhibit Smo, affecting cell development.
Supporting Evidence
- The researchers found that when Ptch1 is active, it inhibits Smo through an intermediary molecule.
- They discovered that a lipoprotein is involved in the inhibition of Smo.
- The study linked elevated levels of 7-dehydrocholesterol to Hh signaling problems.
- Vitamin D3 was shown to bind to Smo and inhibit the Hh pathway in live zebrafish embryos.
Takeaway
This study found that a molecule related to vitamin D3 helps control how cells develop by stopping another protein from working.
Methodology
The researchers used modified fibroblasts that luminesce when Gli is active and tested various combinations of proteins to observe their effects on Gli activation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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