Hedgehog pathway expression in the adrenal gland. β-Galactosidase activity
staining of reporter mice shows that, in the adrenal gland, Gli1 and Ptch are
expressed primarily in the capsule, whereas the predominant ligand, Shh, is
found in the subcapsular region of the cortex. In the absence of Shh, Ptch
inhibits Smo. Upon Shh binding, Smo is released from Ptch inhibition and
activates nuclear translocation of Gli transcription factors. Abbreviations:
Gli, Glioma-associated oncogene; Ptch, Patched; Shh, Sonic hedgehog; Smo,
Smoothened.