Direct cell-to-cell transport of Hedgehog morphogen is aided by the diffusible carrier Shifted/DmWif1.

In Drosophila, the diffusible carrier Shifted/DmWif1 (Shf) is tightly associated with Hedgehog (Hh) on cytoneme membranes and is required for Hh dispersal and signalling.

• Why it matters: Morphogen gradient formation depends on how Hedgehog spreads, but competing models—lipid shielding versus cytoneme-based transport—have not reconciled lipid dependence with observed dispersal.
• What they did: Using nanobody-based immobilisation of natural and synthetic ligands, the study tests Shf–Hh proximity on cytonemes and examines whether the Ihog–Shf complex supports transfer.
• The result: Shf is membrane-anchored via the Hh co-receptor Interference Hedgehog (Ihog), and the Ihog–Shf complex is required for Hh dispersal and signalling, supporting a cytoneme transport plus membrane release model.

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