Description
SAG is a Smoothened (Smo) agonist primarily used in research models to study Hedgehog signaling pathways. In vitro, SAG stimulates osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and enhances proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. SAG also increases expression of Patched and efflux of cholesterol. In vivo, this compound exhibits neuroprotective activity, preventing glucocorticoid-induced neurotoxicity.
References
Huang JG, Shen CB, Wu WB, et al. Primary cilia mediate sonic hedgehog signaling to regulate neuronal-like differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells for resveratrol induction in vitro. J Neurosci Res. 2014 May;92(5):587-96. PMID: 24464877.
Heine VM, Griveau A, Chapin C, et al. A small-molecule smoothened agonist prevents glucocorticoid-induced neonatal cerebellar injury. Sci Transl Med. 2011 Oct 19;3(105):105ra104. PMID: 22013124.
Bidet M, Joubert O, Lacombe B, et al. The hedgehog receptor patched is involved in cholesterol transport. PLoS One. 2011;6(9):e23834. PMID: 21931618.
Wang G, Zhang Z, Xu Z, et al. Activation of the sonic hedgehog signaling controls human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to hypoxia. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Dec;1803(12):1359-67. PMID: 20840857.