Recombinant Human Sonic Hedgehog/SHH Protein

Sonic Hedgehog Homolog (SHH) belongs to a three-protein family called hedgehog. The other two family members are Indian Hedgehog (IHH) and Desert Hedgehog (DHH) . Hedgehog proteins are key signaling molecules in embryonic development. SHH is expressed in various embryonic tissues and plays critical roles in regulating the patterning of many systems; such as limbs and brain. SHH also plays an important role in adult; including the division of adult stem cells and the development of certain cancers and other diseases. Human SHH is expressed as a 45kDa precursor; and undergoes a series of processing during secretion. After the removal of the signal peptide; a protease within the C-terminal domain catalyzes the cleavage of SHH into a 20 kDa N-terminal signaling domain (SHH-N) and a 25 kDa C-terminal domain (SHH-C) . SHH-N has the “all signaling” capability. SHH-N binds to the 12 pass transmembrane protein Patched (Ptc) on cell surface; which releases the repression of the activity of Smoothened (Smo) ; a G-protein coupled receptor; by Ptc.

Generally, lyophilized proteins are stable for up to 12 months when stored at -20 to -80°C. Reconstituted protein solution can be stored at 4-8°C for 2-7 days. Aliquots of reconstituted samples are stable at < -20°C for 3 months.