Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is a transcription factor within the DNA-binding zinc-finger protein family. The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway (SHH), which assists in embryonic development and maintaining stem cell populations in adults, activates the Gli1 protein. In the SHH Pathway, the hedgehog ligand binds to patched transmembrane protein receptor (PTC). PTC is an inhibitor of SMO, a protein receptor, and when the hedgehog ligand is present, SMO is not inhibited. Gli1 can then activate transcription along with a few other proteins, including Gli2 and Gli3. It is here that abnormal signaling from the SHH can lead to dysfunctional cells and cancer.
Overexpression of the Gli1 protein has been identified as a possible cause for multiple cancers. The Sun Y research group proved by use of a Gli1 antibody that the inhibition of Gli1 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis (1). Alternately, a high frequency of Gli1 expression occurs in breast cancer, and overexpression of the Gli antibody after a radical operation of breast cancer signified to Ying-Hua et al that there would be an early relapse (2). Additionally, Yoon et al have found via western blot using a Gli1 antibody that certain types of medulloblastomas have the ability to activate the SHH pathway and expression of the Gli1 protein, which leads to generation of medulloblastoma cells (3). Current research suggests that targeting and eliminating the Gli1 protein in pancreatic cancer cells causes the cancerous cells to undergo forced apoptosis and growth inhibition (4). These results could improve specific protein targeting as a potential cancer treatment.
Novus Biologicals offers Gli1 reagents for your research needs including:
