Skip to main content

Career counselling for embryonic cells

In an embryo, the stem cells develop into specific organs under the influence of complex extracellular signals. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) plays an important role in this process but its signalling pathway is not entirely understood. In August 31 Science Gurtej Dhoot and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center identify a member of a family of conserved sulfatases, QSulf1, which is responsive to Shh signaling and has role in embryonic cell fate determination.Dhoot et al. identifie

Written byTudor Toma
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00

In an embryo, the stem cells develop into specific organs under the influence of complex extracellular signals. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) plays an important role in this process but its signalling pathway is not entirely understood. In August 31 Science Gurtej Dhoot and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center identify a member of a family of conserved sulfatases, QSulf1, which is responsive to Shh signaling and has role in embryonic cell fate determination.

Dhoot et al. identified QSulf1 via a molecular cloning screen for Shh responsive genes activated during somite formation in quail embryos. They found that QSulf1 expression is required for the activation of MyoD, a specific (Wnt) induced regulator of muscle specification. QSulf1 is localized on the cell surface and regulates heparan-dependent Wnt signaling in myogenic progenitor cells through a mechanism dependent on the catalytic activity of the molecule (Science 2001, 293:1663-1666).

Identifying and understanding the mechanisms ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member?
Add The Scientist as a preferred source on Google

Add The Scientist as a preferred Google source to see more of our trusted coverage.

Meet the Author

Related articles background image
The Scientist Digest cover September 2026
September 2026

Multiplex Microscopy Becomes Easier with Encoded Antibodies

A new system that enables researchers to uniquely tag monoclonal antibodies for use in microscopy could help simplify complex imaging studies.

View this Issue
Essential Genes Are Dominantly Activated by Single Transcription Factors

Essential Genes Are Dominantly Activated by Single Transcription Factors

EpiCypher Logo
Rethinking ALS Biomarkers: From Discovery to Clinical Impact

Rethinking ALS Biomarkers: From Discovery to Clinical Impact

Alamar Biosciences logo
Engineering CAR-Neutrophils In Vivo to Target Glioblastoma

Engineering CAR-Neutrophils In Vivo to Target Glioblastoma

Miltenyi
Best Practices for qPCR Assay Design and Optimization

Best Practices for qPCR Assay Design and Optimization

Bio-Rad

Products

Closeup image of a multi channel pipette dispensing pink liquid into a 96-well plate.

The ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot for affordable workflow automation

Integra Logo
Single cells in suspension

Rapidly isolate primary cells and make uniform single-cell suspensions with Corning® Cell Strainers

Corning logo
Abstract image representing cell membranes linked together.

CellBrite® Steady Membrane Stain: Cell surface staining built for real-time imaging

Biotium
sino biological logo

Monod Bio Licenses AI-designed Protein Technologies to SignalChem Biotech for Custom Discovery Assays