While the increased expression of gli2 detected in BCCs compared to normal skin may be expected and associated with the development/presence of BCC, the lack of tumour suppressor activity by PTCH1 – despite its increased mRNA levels – may be due to lack of expression of its corresponding protein and/or lack of binding to SMO (levels of which were not significantly different between BCC and normal skin). The gene discussed is SMO; the disease is skin basal cell carcinoma.