| Type: | Family | Name: | Hedgehog protein |
| Description: | Hedgehog proteins are a family of secreted signal molecules required for embryonic cell differentiation. They are synthesised as inactive precursors with an N-terminal signalling domain linked to a C-terminal autoprocessing domain. The three-dimensional structure of the autolytic domain of the hedgehog protein of shows similarity with the beta-strand core of intein splicing domains. It has hence been termed the hint (Hedgehog/Intein) domain [].The activated hedgehog protein is involved in segment polarity and cell to cell communication, and plays important roles in both early embryogenesis and metamorphosis [, , , ]. The protein is expressed in embryo stripes [], and in several groups of cells belonging to the foregut, hindgut and various other unidentified tissues. Maximum expression is seen in embryos 6-12 hours after fertilisation, and in pupae 1-24 hours after puparium formation. | Short Name: | Hedgehog |
