L-Selectin
CD44 (CD44 molecule, IN blood group; also known as Pgp1, H-CAM and HCELL) is a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. It is a receptor for hyaluronic acid and also interacts with osteopontin, collagens and matrix metalloproteinases. Browse Assay Genie's current range of L-Selectin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CD44 is a cell-surface glycoprotein that mediates cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. Its best-characterised role is as a receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA), but it can also interact with other ligands, including osteopontin, collagens and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Through these interactions the CD44 protein participates in a wide range of cellular functions, including lymphocyte activation, recirculation and homing, haematopoiesis and tumour metastasis.
The human CD44 gene encodes a protein that UniProt places at the cell membrane and in microvilli, with a secreted form also annotated. HGNC classifies it within the blood group antigens, CD molecules and proteoglycans gene groups. Mouse and rat each have an orthologous gene, Cd44, which makes the molecule accessible to comparative and in vivo studies.
Transcripts of the CD44 gene undergo complex alternative splicing, producing many functionally distinct isoforms. This splicing is the basis for the structural and functional diversity of the protein and may be related to tumour metastasis, although the full-length nature of some variants has not been determined. UniProt also records that CD44 promotes foot-and-mouth disease virus internalisation via macropinocytosis.
The naming history reflects its biology. The earlier name, CD44 antigen (homing function and Indian blood group system), refers to its roles in lymphocyte homing and as the IN blood group antigen. Other aliases include MC56, Pgp1, PGP-1, CD44R, HCELL, CSPG8, Hermes-1, CDw44, HUTCH-1, ECM-III, H-CAM, MIC4, MDU2 and MDU3.
CD44 mediates cell-cell interactions, adhesion and migration, making it a standard subject for studies of how cells engage hyaluronic acid and other matrix ligands.
The protein participates in lymphocyte activation, recirculation and homing, so it is used to study how immune cells traffic between tissues.
CD44 is linked to tumour metastasis, and its alternatively spliced isoforms may contribute to that process, which drives interest in isoform-level analysis.
CD44 takes part in haematopoiesis and binds osteopontin, collagens and MMPs, connecting it to studies of blood cell development and extracellular matrix interaction.
CD44 is a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, adhesion and migration. It is a receptor for hyaluronic acid and also interacts with osteopontin, collagens and MMPs. It contributes to lymphocyte activation and homing, haematopoiesis and tumour metastasis.
CD44 has accumulated aliases such as Pgp1, H-CAM, HCELL, Hermes-1 and CSPG8, and was formerly named for its homing function and the Indian blood group system. Complex alternative splicing of its transcripts yields many functionally distinct isoforms.
Mouse and rat both carry an orthologous Cd44 gene. NCBI links CD44 and its splice variants to tumour metastasis, and UniProt notes it promotes foot-and-mouth disease virus internalisation via macropinocytosis. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other CD molecules, adhesion proteins and CD44 ligands with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P16070; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.