HYALURONAN RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Hyaluronan receptor, also known as CD44, is a cell surface glycoprotein that serves as a receptor for the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan. Hyaluronan, also referred to as hyaluronic acid or HA, is a large polysaccharide composed of repeating units of disaccharides. The hyaluronan receptor is involved in mediating various biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation.
The hyaluronan receptor is widely expressed in various cell types, such as immune cells, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. It consists of multiple isoforms generated by alternative splicing, resulting in variant forms that differ in their extracellular and intracellular domains. These isoforms may display unique binding affinities to hyaluronan and interact with different signaling molecules to regulate cellular responses.
As a receptor for hyaluronan, CD44 plays a crucial role in cell-matrix interactions and cell signaling. It binds to hyaluronan through its extracellular domain, which contains a conserved hyaluronan-binding motif. The receptor-ligand interaction can induce various intracellular signaling cascades, leading to the activation of downstream signaling pathways that regulate diverse cellular functions.
Due to its involvement in various physiological and pathological processes, the hyaluronan receptor has garnered significant attention in biomedical research. Dysregulation or aberrant expression of CD44 has been associated with numerous diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and tissue fibrosis. Hence, understanding the function and regulation of hyaluronan receptors holds great promise for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting these receptors in various diseases.
Common Misspellings for HYALURONAN RECEPTOR
- gyaluronan receptor
- byaluronan receptor
- nyaluronan receptor
- jyaluronan receptor
- uyaluronan receptor
- yyaluronan receptor
- htaluronan receptor
- hgaluronan receptor
- hhaluronan receptor
- hualuronan receptor
- h7aluronan receptor
- h6aluronan receptor
- hyzluronan receptor
- hysluronan receptor
- hywluronan receptor
- hyqluronan receptor
- hyakuronan receptor
- hyapuronan receptor
- hyaouronan receptor
- hyalyronan receptor
Etymology of HYALURONAN RECEPTOR
The word "Hyaluronan" comes from the combination of two terms - "hyalo" and "uronic acid". "Hyalo" originates from the Greek word "hyalos", which means glass or transparent. "Uronic acid" refers to a type of sugar that is present in the structure of hyaluronan.
The term "Receptor" derives from the Latin word "receptus", which means to receive or accept. In the context of biology, a receptor is a protein molecule that receives signals from other molecules, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, or antigens, and initiates a specific physiological response.
Therefore, "Hyaluronan Receptor" is a compound term used to describe a protein molecule that specifically receives or binds with hyaluronan, a substance composed of sugar molecules found in connective tissues.
