Cd44

Domain

The lectin-like LINK domain is responsible for hyaluronan binding.

Function

Cell-surface receptor that plays a role in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration, helping them to sense and respond to changes in the tissue microenvironment. Participates thereby in a wide variety of cellular functions including the activation, recirculation and homing of T-lymphocytes, hematopoiesis, inflammation and response to bacterial infection. Engages, through its ectodomain, extracellular matrix components such as hyaluronan/HA, collagen, growth factors, cytokines or proteases and serves as a platform for signal transduction by assembling, via its cytoplasmic domain, protein complexes containing receptor kinases and membrane proteases. Such effectors include PKN2, the RhoGTPases RAC1 and RHOA, Rho-kinases and phospholipase C that coordinate signaling pathways promoting calcium mobilization and actin-mediated cytoskeleton reorganization essential for cell migration and adhesion.

Post-translational modifications

N-glycosylated.

O-glycosylated; contains chondroitin sulfate glycans which can be more or less sulfated.

Phosphorylated; activation of PKC results in the dephosphorylation of Ser-467 (constitutive phosphorylation site), and the phosphorylation of Ser-433.

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Single-pass type I membrane protein
• Cell projection
• Microvillus
• Secreted
• Colocalizes with actin in membrane protrusions at wounding edges. Co-localizes with RDX, EZR and MSN in microvilli.

Alternative names

CD44, CD44 antigen, Extracellular matrix receptor III, GP90 lymphocyte homing/adhesion receptor, HUTCH-I, Hermes antigen, Hyaluronate receptor, Phagocytic glycoprotein 1, Phagocytic glycoprotein I, ECMR-III, PGP-1, PGP-I, Cd44

Database links

swissprot:P26051 entrezGene:25406

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology
• Immunology & Infectious Disease