SMO

SMO, Smoothened, is a cell surface receptor that belongs to the class F G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family and is a key component of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway.SMO binds to Hh ligands in the cell, and when activated, it can transmit signals to the nucleus, which in turn activates the GLI transcription factor and regulates the expression of related genes. The origin of SMO is the gene code of human cells, and its mechanism of action involves the interaction with various proteins and lipid molecules, especially the covalent modification of cholesterol is crucial to the function of SMO.

SMO is of great significance in biology, which not only participates in the regulation of embryonic development, tissue regeneration and organ repair, but also is closely related to the occurrence and development of many types of cancer. The Hh signaling pathway is inhibited by Patched (PTCH) protein in the resting state; when Hh ligand binds to PTCH, the inhibition of SMO is lifted, thus activating the downstream signaling pathway. In addition, the aberrant activation of SMO is closely related to the development of gliomas and other tumors, making SMO an important target for anti-cancer drug development .