About PTCH1
PTCH1 encodes a transmembrane receptor for hedgehog signaling proteins such as sonic hedgehog, a pathway that guides embryonic development. The protein normally keeps hedgehog signaling in check by inhibiting the Smoothened protein, so when PTCH1 is inactivated the pathway becomes overactive. Inherited changes in PTCH1 cause Gorlin syndrome (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome), which predisposes to basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, and can also contribute to holoprosencephaly. As a tumor suppressor, its loss drives basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma.