Recombinant human Desert Hedgehog/Dhh N-terminus protein

DHH belongs to the hedgehog family. The C-terminal domain displays an autoproteolysis activity and a cholesterol transferase activity. The N- terminal domain is the active species in both local and long-range signaling, whereas the C-terminal domain has no signaling activity. This protein is produced by Sertoli cells and may be involved in both male gonadal differentiation and perineurial development. Defects in this protein have been associated with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) accompanied by minifascicular polyneuropathy. Recombinant DHH protein was expressed in E. coli and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques.