Ligands of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway are paracrine signaling molecules that coordinate tissue development in metazoans. A remarkable feature of HH signaling is the repeated use of cholesterol in steps spanning ligand biogenesis, secretion, dispersal, and reception on target cells. A cholesterol molecule covalently attached to HH ligands is used as a molecular baton by transfer proteins to guide their secretion, spread, and reception. On target cells, a signaling circuit composed of a cholesterol transporter and sensor regulates transmission of HH signals across the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. The repeated use of cholesterol in signaling supports the view that the HH pathway likely evolved by coopting ancient systems to regulate the abundance or organization of sterol-like lipids in membranes.

中文翻译：

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胆固醇和刺猬信号之间密不可分的关系

Hedgehog (HH) 通路的配体是协调后生动物组织发育的旁分泌信号分子。 HH 信号传导的一个显着特征是在配体生物发生、分泌、分散和靶细胞接收等步骤中重复使用胆固醇。共价连接到 HH 配体的胆固醇分子被转移蛋白用作分子指挥棒，指导其分泌、传播和接收。在靶细胞上，由胆固醇转运蛋白和传感器组成的信号传导电路调节 HH 信号穿过质膜到细胞质的传输。胆固醇在信号传导中的重复使用支持了这样一种观点，即 HH 通路可能是通过利用古老的系统来调节膜中甾醇样脂质的丰度或组织而进化的。