Hyaluronan: a multifunctional, megaDalton, stealth molecule.
Hyaluronan has been implicated in biological processes such as cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. Traditionally, it was thought to be associated with the extracellular matrix, but, hyaluronan may also have unimagined roles inside the cell. Investigation of hyaluronan synthesis and degradation, the identification of new receptors and binding proteins, and the elucidation of hyaluronan-dependent signaling pathways are providing novel insights into the true biological functions of this fascinating molecule.
Lee
J Y
JY
Rowe Program in Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Tupper Hall, California 95616, Davis, USA.
Spicer
A P
AP
D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014166:Transferases; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D014166:Transferases; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; C056944:HAS1 protein, Xenopus; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases