Enhanced efficacy of cholesterol-minus sonic hedgehog in postnatal skin.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Lou H, Crystal R, Leopold P
Journal	Mol Ther
Volume	12
Issue	3
Pagination	575-8
Date Published	09/01/2005
ISSN	1525-0016
Keywords	Adenoviridae, Cholesterol, Gene Transfer Techniques, Skin, Trans-Activators
Abstract	The role of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) as a morphogen in diverse developmental settings depends on covalent addition of cholesterol. In this study, expression of Shh lacking cholesterol stimulated hair growth with greater efficacy than native Shh, suggesting that Shh acts as a chemokine rather than a morphogen in this postnatal role. Thus, a structural modification that renders a morphogen ineffective in developmental models may have distinct advantages for postnatal applications.
DOI	10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.01.009
PubMed ID	15987672