Abstract:

Cilia serve as an important regulator of various signaling pathways, as well as the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Recent studies have revealed that there is a close relationship between Hh signaling pathway and intraflagellar transport of cilia, and further evidences from genetics and cytobiology have also proved the relationship between primary cilia and Hh signaling pathway. All of the core components of Hh signaling pathway are found on the primary cilia, and intraflagellar transport proteins are required for the transmission of information between the signaling molecules that mediate the activity of Hh signaling pathway. Flagella of sperm share the same structure with cilia, and ciliopathies can also lead to the defects of spermatic flagella. Ciliopathies and other diseases caused by the defects of structure and function of cilia could affect Hh signaling. Regulatory molecules such as Foxj1 contribute to the construction of cilia, which brings new ideas in the field of infertility and contraception. The research progress of regulatory mechanism of Hedgehog signal in cilia is introduced in this paper.

Key words: cilium, flagellum, Hedgehog signaling pathway, regulatory molecule