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Related Experiment Videos

The CD44 protein family

H Ponta1, D Wainwright, P Herrlich

  • 1Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institute of Genetics, University of Karlsruhe, Germany.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|June 5, 1998
PubMed
Summary

CD44 variant proteins, crucial for cell communication in embryos and adults, may drive tumor metastasis by presenting growth factors. Blocking this presentation offers a potential cancer therapy strategy.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • CD44 proteins are type I transmembrane molecules with variable central extracellular domains due to alternative splicing of ten variant exons.
  • These proteins can be modified by cell-type-specific glycosaminoglycan and carbohydrate additions.
  • CD44 variant proteins are expressed in normal adult tissues and embryonic structures like the apical ectodermal ridge (AER).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of CD44 variant proteins in biological processes.
  • To explore the function of CD44 in epithelial-mesenchymal cell communication.
  • To examine the potential involvement of CD44 in tumor growth and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CD44 protein structure and expression patterns.
  • Investigating CD44 interactions with growth factors.
  • Evaluating the impact of CD44 on cell communication and metastasis.

Main Results:

  • Certain CD44 proteins on the AER function as low-affinity fibroblast growth factor receptors, essential for epithelial-mesenchymal cell communication.
  • CD44 variant proteins are implicated in tumor growth and metastasis.
  • CD44-mediated growth factor presentation is hypothesized to be critical in metastasis formation.

Conclusions:

  • CD44 variant proteins play vital roles in both embryonic development and adult tissue function.
  • The mechanism of CD44-mediated growth factor presentation is a key factor in cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting CD44 to block growth factor presentation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic cancers.

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