Ligand-dependent activation of the hedgehog pathway in glioma progenitor cells.

Abstract	The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates progenitor cells during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis in multiple organ systems. We have investigated the activity of this pathway in adult gliomas, and demonstrate that the Hh pathway is operational and activated within grade II and III gliomas, but not grade IV de novo glioblastoma multiforme. Furthermore, our studies reveal that pathway activity and responsiveness is confined to progenitor cells within these tumors. Additionally, we demonstrate that Hh signaling in glioma progenitor cells is ligand-dependent and provide evidence documenting the in vivo source of Sonic hedgehog protein. These findings suggest a regulatory role for the Hh pathway in progenitor cells within grade II and III gliomas, and the potential clinical utility of monitoring and targeting this pathway in these primary brain tumors.
Authors	M Ehtesham, A Sarangi, J G Valadez, S Chanthaphaychith, M W Becher, T W Abel, R C Thompson, M K Cooper
Journal	Oncogene (Oncogene) Vol. 26 Issue 39 Pg. 5752-61 (Aug 23 2007) ISSN: 0950-9232 [Print] England
PMID	17353902 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	GLI1 protein, human Hedgehog Proteins Ligands Patched Receptors RNA, Messenger RNA, Neoplasm Receptors, Cell Surface SHH protein, human Transcription Factors Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
Topics	Animals Blotting, Western Brain Neoplasms (classification, genetics) Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic Glioma (classification, genetics) Hedgehog Proteins (genetics) Humans Ligands Mice Neoplasm Staging Neoplastic Stem Cells (physiology) Patched Receptors RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism) RNA, Neoplasm (genetics, metabolism) Receptors, Cell Surface (genetics) Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Signal Transduction Transcription Factors (physiology) Tumor Cells, Cultured Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

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