Indian Hedgehog/Ihh Proteins and Enzymes

Indian Hedgehog (Ihh), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), and Desert Hedgehog (Dhh) are important signaling molecules during embryonic development and are highly conserved within and across species. Mouse Ihh cDNA encodes a 411 amino acid (aa) polypeptide with a predicted 27 aa signal peptide. Post-translational processing yields a 19 kDa lipid-modified N-terminal domain that is the signaling molecule. At the cell surface, Ihh activity is mediated by binding the 12-pass transmembrane receptor, Patched (Ptc), and signaling through the 7-pass transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor, Smoothened (Smo).