Hyaluronan: a multifunctional, megaDalton, stealth molecule

Abstract

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.