Background information
Negative regulator in the hedgehog signaling pathway. Down-regulates GLI1-mediated transactivation of target genes. Part of a corepressor complex that acts on DNA-bound GLI1. May also act by linking GLI1 to BTRC and thereby targeting GLI1 to degradation by the proteasome. Sequesters GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 in the cytoplasm, this effect is overcome by binding of STK36 to both SUFU and a GLI protein. Negative regulator of beta-catenin signaling. Regulates the formation of either the repressor form (GLI3R) or the activator form (GLI3A) of the full length form of GLI3 (GLI3FL). GLI3FL is complexed with SUFU in the cytoplasm and is maintained in a neutral state. Without the Hh signal, the SUFU-GLI3 complex is recruited to cilia, leading to the efficient processing of GLI3FL into GLI3R. When Hh signaling is initiated, SUFU dissociates from GLI3FL and the latter translocates to the nucleus, where it is phosphorylated, destabilized, and converted to a transcriptional activator (GLI3A). Required for the proper formation of hair follicles and the control of epidermal differentiation (By similarity).
