HYAL2
HYAL2 (hyaluronidase 2, also known as LuCa-2 or LUCA2) is a weakly acid-active hyaluronidase that breaks down hyaluronan, a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix. It is thought to act as a GPI-anchored protein at the cell surface. Browse Assay Genie's current range of HYAL2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
HYAL2 catalyses the degradation of hyaluronan into small fragments. These fragments are then endocytosed and broken down in lysosomes by HYAL1 and exoglycosidases, so HYAL2 acts early in a stepwise route of hyaluronan turnover. It is described as essential for the breakdown of extracellular matrix hyaluronan. Hyaluronan and its fragments are thought to be involved in cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, which places the enzyme at the centre of matrix remodelling studies.
The HYAL2 gene encodes a weak acid-active hyaluronidase that is similar in structure to other, more active hyaluronidases, and the protein belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 56 family. It was previously thought to be a lysosomal enzyme active below pH 4, but the HYAL2 protein is now considered likely to be a GPI-anchored cell surface protein, and UniProt lists the cell membrane as its location. The gene produces two alternatively spliced transcript variants that differ only in the 5' UTR. Mouse and rat both carry a Hyal2 ortholog.
HYAL2 is a member of the HGNC hyaluronidase gene group, alongside HYAL1, HYAL3 and HYAL4, and was formerly named hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2. It also serves as a receptor for the oncogenic virus Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus. The gene lies in a cluster of related genes in a region of chromosome 3p21.3 associated with tumour suppression, which has made it a topic of interest in cancer biology.
HYAL2 degrades hyaluronan, a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix, and is described as essential for its breakdown.
HYAL2 generates hyaluronan fragments that are endocytosed and further degraded in lysosomes by HYAL1 and exoglycosidases.
Hyaluronan and its fragments are thought to influence cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, making HYAL2 relevant to these processes.
The gene sits in a chromosome 3p21.3 region linked to tumour suppression, and the protein is a receptor for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus.
HYAL2 catalyses the degradation of hyaluronan into small fragments. These are endocytosed and degraded in lysosomes by HYAL1 and exoglycosidases. It is described as essential for the breakdown of extracellular matrix hyaluronan, and it is a weakly acid-active enzyme.
HYAL2 is the symbol for hyaluronidase 2, also called LuCa-2 or LUCA2, and previously named hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2. Once thought to be lysosomal, it is now considered likely to be a GPI-anchored protein on the cell surface. Two transcript variants differ only in the 5' UTR.
The HYAL2 gene lies in a chromosome 3p21.3 region associated with tumour suppression, and its protein is a receptor for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus. Mouse and rat both have a Hyal2 ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other hyaluronidases and the hyaluronan substrate that HYAL2 acts on, with research products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q12891; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.