The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is a crucial molecular pathway that plays diverse roles in the regulation of stem cells across various developmental contexts and tissue types. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the unique ability to give rise to specialized cell types, making them essential for tissue repair, regeneration, and development. The Hedgehog pathway, named after the spiky appearance of fruit fly embryos lacking this signalling pathway, is a fundamental player in regulating stem cell fate decisions and tissue patterning. In molecular terms, the Hedgehog signalling pathway functions through a series of linked signalling events. When a Hedgehog ligand (Shh, Ihh, or Dhh) binds to its receptor Patched (Ptch), it relieves Ptch-mediated inhibition of Smoothened (Smo), an atypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) located at the cell membrane. Smo activation leads to downstream intracellular events, including the activation of Gli transcription factors. In the absence of active Smo, Gli proteins are proteolytically cleaved into a repressor form. When Smo is activated, it induces dephosphorylation of Gli, preventing its proteasomal processing, thereby promoting the formation of active, full-length Gli transcription factors. Activated Gli proteins then translocate to the nucleus and regulate the expression of target genes involved in stem cell fate determination, proliferation, and survival. The Hedgehog signalling pathway exerts its influence upon several types of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), tissue-specific or adult stem cells, and cancer stem cells (CSCs). Hedgehog signalling is active during early embryogenesis and helps to establish tissue boundaries and differentiation. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), one of the Hedgehog ligands, is secreted by the notochord and floor plate cells, influencing the differentiation of nearby ESCs into various cell lineages, including neural, muscle, and bone cells. The Hedgehog pathway has also been implicated in enhancing the reprogramming efficiency of iPSCs - artificially reprogrammed adult cells that regain pluripotency. Activation of Hedgehog signalling promotes the maintenance of pluripotency and the suppression of differentiation, essential for the successful generation of iPSCs. The Hedgehog pathway is also involved in regulating the behaviour of tissue-specific or adult stem cells. For example, in the skin, Hedgehog signalling is essential for maintaining the stem cell population in hair follicles and for regulating the balance between hair growth and quiescence. During embryonic development, the Hedgehog signalling pathway is involved in the formation of hair follicles. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), one of the Hedgehog ligands, is expressed in the developing skin, and its signalling helps initiate the formation of hair placodes, the precursors to hair follicles. In the intestine, Hedgehog signalling also influences the self-renewal and differentiation of intestinal stem cells, ensuring proper tissue regeneration. Finally, dysregulated Hedgehog signalling has been implicated in the development and maintenance of CSCs in several cancer types, including basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and pancreatic cancer. In these contexts, the pathway promotes CSC self-renewal, proliferation, and resistance to therapies, making it an attractive target for cancer treatment. We offer a large product range of research reagents for investigating the Hedgehog signalling pathway, including Sonic Hedgehog antibodies, Smoothened antibodies, and Gli1 antibodies. Explore our full Hedgehog signalling pathway product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Surface Molecules, Secreted, and Nuclear product ranges.