"Scientists found that by activating a receptor in cells called the liver X receptor (LXR), they were able to inhibit the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which is involved in the maintenance of tissue integrity and stem cell generation. When stimulated in an unregulated manner, however, the Hh pathway can also cause cancers of the brain, lung, blood, prostate, skin and other tissues.

Blocking such unregulated stimulation of the Hh pathway had previously been shown in animal studies to prevent cancers, according to the researchers. How LXR was able to inhibit tumor cell growth by impeding the Hh pathway was previously unknown."

via www.medicalnewstoday.com

This was a snippet from a study about scientists at UCLA who found a new and unexpected mechanism related to hedgehog pathway signalling, which may turn out to be interesting for developing new therapeutics because current hedgehog pathway inhibitors elicit severe adverse events.

I posted this direct from the newsite using the new Typepad Blog It bookmarklet, which looks to be a very useful tool for sharing articles by reblogging areas of interest.