Intercellular signal essential for a variety of patterning events during development. May function as a spermatocyte survival factor in the testes. Essential for testes development.
[Desert hedgehog protein N-product]: Cell membrane ; Lipid-anchor ; Extracellular side . The N-terminal peptide remains associated with the cell surface. .; [Desert hedgehog protein C-product]: Secreted, extracellular space . The C-terminal peptide diffuses from the cell. .