1. Academic Validation
  2. Sonic hedgehog patterning during cerebellar development

Sonic hedgehog patterning during cerebellar development

  • Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Jan;73(2):291-303. doi: 10.1007/s00018-015-2065-1.
Annarita De Luca 1 2 Valentina Cerrato 1 2 Elisa Fucà 1 2 Elena Parmigiani 1 2 Annalisa Buffo 1 2 Ketty Leto 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, Italy.
  • 2 Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
  • 3 Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, Italy. ketty.leto@unito.it.
  • 4 Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy. ketty.leto@unito.it.
Abstract

The morphogenic factor sonic Hedgehog (Shh) actively orchestrates many aspects of cerebellar development and maturation. During embryogenesis, Shh signaling is active in the ventricular germinal zone (VZ) and represents an essential signal for proliferation of VZ-derived progenitors. Later, Shh secreted by Purkinje cells sustains the amplification of postnatal neurogenic niches: the external granular layer and the prospective white matter, where excitatory granule cells and inhibitory interneurons are produced, respectively. Moreover, Shh signaling affects Bergmann glial differentiation and promotes cerebellar foliation during development. Here we review the most relevant functions of Shh during cerebellar ontogenesis, underlying its role in physiological and pathological conditions.

Keywords

Cerebellum; Differentiation; Mitogen; Shh.

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