smoothened signaling pathway involved in ventral spinal cord interneuron specification

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The series of molecular signals initiated by binding of a ligand to the transmembrane receptor smoothened in a precursor cell in the ventral spinal cord that contributes to the commitment of the precursor cell to an interneuron fate. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid, PMID:11262869]

The Smoothened (SMO) signaling pathway, a crucial component of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling cascade, plays a pivotal role in ventral spinal cord interneuron specification. This intricate pathway, initiated by Hh ligands, is essential for patterning the ventral neural tube and determining the identity of various interneuron subtypes.

In the developing spinal cord, Hh ligands secreted from the notochord and floor plate activate the pathway. Hh ligand binding to the transmembrane protein Patched (PTCH1) relieves its inhibition of SMO, leading to its activation. Activated SMO triggers a signaling cascade involving the GLI transcription factors. The GLI proteins act as downstream effectors of the pathway, modulating the expression of target genes involved in interneuron specification.

In the ventral spinal cord, the SMO pathway is critically involved in the generation of specific interneuron subtypes, including V2a interneurons, which contribute to locomotor control and rhythmic movements. GLI proteins regulate the expression of transcription factors like Pax6 and Olig2, which are crucial for the specification and differentiation of these interneurons.

In summary, the SMO signaling pathway plays a crucial role in ventral spinal cord interneuron specification by regulating the expression of transcription factors that determine the identity of these neurons. The precise balance of Hh signaling and SMO activity is essential for proper patterning of the ventral spinal cord and the generation of functionally diverse interneuron subtypes.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (2)