Dictionary Definition
smoothened adj : made smooth by ironing [syn:
smoothed]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Verb
smoothened- past of smoothen
Extensive Definition
Smoothened is a G
protein-coupled receptor protein encoded by the gene SMO gene of the
hedgehog pathway conserved from flies to humans.
It is the molecular target of the teratogen cyclopamine.
Cellular localization plays an essential role in
the function of SMO. Stimulation of the patched receptor by
the sonic
hedgehog ligand leads to translocation of SMO to the primary
cilium. Furthermore, SMO
that is mutated in the domain required for ciliary localisation
cannot contribute to pathway activation. SMO has also been shown to
bind the kinesin motor
protein Costal-2 and play
a role in the localization of the Ci (Cubitus
interruptus transcription
factor) complex.
SMO can function as an oncogene. Activating SMO
mutations can lead to unregulated activation of the hedgehog
pathway and cancer.