Abstract
We report the identification of a novel protein that participates in Hedgehog-mediated patterning of the neural tube. This protein, named Tectonic, is the founding member of a previously undescribed family of evolutionarily conserved secreted and transmembrane proteins. During neural tube development, mouse Tectonic is required for formation of the most ventral cell types and for full Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation. Epistasis analyses reveal that Tectonic modulates Hh signal transduction downstream of Smoothened (Smo) and Rab23. Interestingly, characterization of Tectonic Shh and Tectonic Smo double mutants indicates that Tectonic plays an additional role in repressing Hh pathway activity.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Patterning*
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Central Nervous System / embryology
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Central Nervous System / metabolism*
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Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
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Signal Transduction
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Smoothened Receptor
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Trans-Activators / physiology*
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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Smo protein, mouse
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Smoothened Receptor
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Trans-Activators
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Rab23 protein, mouse
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins