Abstract

Embryonic development is an emergent process in which increasing complexity is generated by sequential cellular interactions. Recently, it has become clear that such interactions are mediated by just a few families of signalling molecules; but how does this limited repertoire elicit the diversity of form that is characteristic of multicellular organisms? Here we review the various ways in which a member of one such family, the sonic hedgehog (SHH) protein, is deployed during embryonic development. These examples of SHH function provide paradigms for inductive interactions that should help to inform attempts to recapitulate cellular programming and organogenesis in vitro.

Author affiliations

1. Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, 138673, Singapore.
2. MRC Centre Development for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.

Correspondence to: Philip W. Ingham^1,2 Email: pingham@imcb.a-star.edu.sg

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