Modification of Hedgehog proteins by palmitate and cholesterol
Hedgehog proteins are a family of secreted signaling molecules that play critical roles in development as well as cellular growth and differentiation. The mature Hedgehog (Hh) and Sonic Hedgehog (ShH) proteins are modified by two lipid groups: N-linked palmitate at the amino terminus and a molecule of covalently bound cholesterol at the C-terminus. Our laboratory has begun to study the enzymology of lipid modification of Hh and ShH proteins both in vivo and in vitro. We are testing the role of Rasp, a putative palmitoyl transferase for Hh/ShH, in Hh/ShH protein modification.
