DHH

The dually lipidated desert hedgehog protein N-product is essential for a variety of patterning events during development (By similarity). Binds to the patched (PTCH1) receptor, which functions in association with smoothened (SMO), to activate the transcription of target genes (PubMed:11472839, PubMed:33063110). Required for normal testis development and spermatogenesis, namely for the formation of adult-type Leydig cells and normal development of peritubular cells and seminiferous tubules (By similarity). Activates primary cilia signaling on neighboring valve interstitial cells through a paracrine mechanism (By similarity). May induce motor neurons in lateral neural tube and may have a polarizing activity (PubMed:11472839). Prevents the desert hedgehog protein precursor binding to PTCH1 (PubMed:33063110). The C-terminal part of the desert hedgehog protein precursor displays an autoproteolysis and a cholesterol transferase activity (By similarity). Both activities result in the cleavage of the full-length protein into two parts (N-product and C-product) followed by the covalent attachment of a cholesterol moiety to the C-terminal of the newly generated N-product (By similarity). Both activities occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (By similarity). Functions in cell-cell mediated juxtacrine signaling (PubMed:24342078). Promotes endothelium integrity (PubMed:33063110). Binds to PTCH1 receptor, which functions in association with smoothened (SMO), to activate the transcription of target genes in endothelial cells (PubMed:33063110). In Schwann cells, controls the development of the peripheral nerve sheath and the transition of mesenchymal cells to form the epithelium-like structure of the perineurial tube (By similarity).