title: Hyaluronan: a critical component of epithelial-mesenchymal and epithelial-carcinoma transitions.
abstract: Hyaluronan plays a central role in the transition of epithelia to mesenchyme in the embryo and in the acquisition of transformed properties in carcinoma cells. In some cases, hyaluronan is both essential and sufficient for induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs). Underlying its role are the effects of hyaluronan on receptor kinase activities, cell survival pathways, and multidrug transporters. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms whereby hyaluronan exerts its influences on cell behavior will enhance our understanding of normal and pathological EMTs and may lead to improved therapies for cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. toolebp@musc.edu
authors.forename: Bryan P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Toole
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zoltan-Jones
authors.forename: Suniti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Shibnath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghatak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004285:Dogs; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D011134:Polysaccharides; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human