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Review
. 2019 Feb 1;294(5):1690-1696.
doi: 10.1074/jbc.TM118.005836.

The journey of hyaluronan research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Vincent C Hascall  1
Affiliations
Review

The journey of hyaluronan research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Vincent C Hascall. J Biol Chem. .

Abstract

Hyaluronan has a very simple structure. It is a linear glycosaminoglycan composed of disaccharide units of GlcNAc and d-glucuronic acid with alternating β-1,4 and β-1,3 glycosidic bonds that can be repeated 20,000 or more times, a molecular mass >8 million Da, and a length >20 μm. However, it has a very complex biology. It is a major, ubiquitous component of extracellular matrices involved in everything from fertilization, development, inflammations, to cancer. This JBC Review highlights some of these processes that were initiated through publications in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Keywords: extracellular matrix; fertilization; glycosaminoglycan; hyaluronan; inflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that he has no conflict of interest with the contents of this article

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The original model for cartilage proteoglycan aggregates (12).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cumulus cell oocyte complex before (a) and after (c) expansion in culture (13). b was incubated without FBS, which contains IαI that is required for expansion. d is the current model for forming the hyaluronan matrix (27).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Current model for the structure of IαI and its conversion to HC(SHAP)–HA matrices (23). The schematic structure of IαI family molecules and the SHAP-HA complex are shown in a, and the structures of the HCs and bikunin are shown in b. The electron micrograph shows the globular domains (arrowheads) and stem structures (arrows) of HCs that are bound to the hyaluronan molecules. The ester linkage between hyaluronan and the aspartate in HC is shown in c.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
A, normal glucose: Has enzymes (green) travel to the cell surface, activate hyaluronan synthesis (yellow), and extrude hyaluronan (red) along cell-surface protrusions in nondividing cells. This figure (44) was kindly provided by the Tammi laboratory. B, hyperglycemic glucose: Has enzymes in hyperglycemic dividing cells were activated in intracellular membranes. They then synthesized hyaluronan (green) into ER, Golgi, and transport vesicles after entry into S phase as shown at 16 h of division. After division, they extruded the hyaluronan to form an extracellular hyaluronan matrix as shown at 36 h (16 h after division). Cyclin D3 is localized in intracellular regions (red).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Tammi M. I., Day A. J., and Turley E. A. (2002) Hyaluronan and homeostasis: a balancing act. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 4581–4584 10.1074/jbc.R100037200 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Day A. J., and Prestwich G. D. (2002) Hyaluronan-binding proteins: tying up the giant. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 4585–4588 10.1074/jbc.R100036200 - DOI - PubMed

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