Shh controls epithelial proliferation via independent pathways that converge on N-Myc

Dev Cell. 2005 Aug;9(2):293-303. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2005.05.009.

Abstract

Shh signaling induces proliferation of many cell types during development and disease, but how Gli transcription factors regulate these mitogenic responses remains unclear. By genetically altering levels of Gli activator and repressor functions in mice, we have demonstrated that both Gli functions are involved in the transcriptional control of N-myc and Cyclin D2 during embryonic hair follicle development. Our results also indicate that additional Gli-activator-dependent functions are required for robust mitogenic responses in regions of high Shh signaling. Through posttranscriptional mechanisms, including inhibition of GSK3-beta activity, Shh signaling leads to spatially restricted accumulation of N-myc and coordinated cell cycle progression. Furthermore, a temporal shift in the regulation of GSK3-beta activity occurs during embryonic hair follicle development, resulting in a synergy with beta-catenin signaling to promote coordinated proliferation. These findings demonstrate that Shh signaling controls the rapid and patterned expansion of epithelial progenitors through convergent Gli-mediated regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclin D2
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Cyclins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / embryology
  • Epidermis / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology*
  • G1 Phase
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Hair Follicle / embryology
  • Hair Follicle / physiology
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Zinc Finger Protein Gli3
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Ccnd2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclin D2
  • Cyclins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gli3 protein, mouse
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Shh protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zinc Finger Protein Gli3
  • beta Catenin
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3