The Hedgehog signalling pathway and cancer.

摘要: The Hedgehog signalling pathway is important in embryological development and highly conserved through evolution. Recently Patched, a member of the pathway, was found to be Gorlin's syndrome. Inherited Patched gene mutations underlie syndrome, which key feature multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). also mutated sporadic BCCs as well occurrences other tumours seen precise mechanism whereby mutation leads tumour not known, but BCC characterized by relentless local invasion only rarely metastasizes. This suggests that abnormalities account for these features. proposal discussed context what already known about normal function its deregulation cancer.