The Effects of Sonic, Desert, and Indian Hedgehog Signaling in Skin

This study investigates the roles of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Desert hedgehog (Dhh), and Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signaling in skin development and maintenance. Using transgenic mice, the research reveals that Shh and Dhh overexpression leads to novel skin phenotypes, Wrinkled and Translucent, characterized by abnormal stem cell populations and basal cell carcinoma (BCC)-like lesions. Ihh overexpression did not affect skin phenotype, indicating it is not a functional homologue of Shh in skin development. The findings suggest that Shh and Dhh regulate epidermal stem cell proliferation and maintenance, and aberrant Shh signaling can lead to tumor formation.