Vitamin D3 Secretion and Smoothened Inhibition
Author Information
Author(s): Maarten F. Bijlsma, C. Arnold Spek, Danica Zivkovic, Sandra van de Water, Farhad Rezaee, Maikel P. Peppelenbosch
Primary Institution: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
Hypothesis
Can patched (Ptch1) inhibit smoothened (Smo) activity through the secretion of (pro-)vitamin D3?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that Ptch1 can inhibit Smo activity in a non-cell autonomous manner by promoting the secretion of (pro-)vitamin D3.
Supporting Evidence
- Ptch1 can inhibit Smo in a non-cell autonomous manner.
- Conditioned medium from Ptch1-transfected cells showed increased 3β-hydroxysteroid content.
- Vitamin D3 was shown to bind to Smo with high affinity.
- Zebrafish embryos treated with vitamin D3 exhibited a smo–/– phenotype.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein called Ptch1 can help stop another protein, Smo, from working by sending out a helper called vitamin D3.
Methodology
The researchers used cell transfection and reporter assays to measure the effects of Ptch1 on Smo activity and the role of (pro-)vitamin D3.
Limitations
The study does not address the in vivo relevance of Ptch1's intercellular action on Smo.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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