CD44 Antibody

The CD44 gene, which is a transmembrane protein, is expressed as a family of molecular isoforms generated from alternative RNA splicing and posttranslational modifications. The gene, which contains 19 exons spanning some 50 kb of genomic DNA, is a widely expressed integral membrane protein that acts as a receptor for hyaluronan (HA) and is important to cell-extracellular matrix interaction. CD44 binding with HA can play an important role in cellular aggregation and tumor cell growth. CD44 is necessary for limb development and functions in a novel growth factor presentation mechanism. A specific CD44 splice variant is crucial for the proliferation of these mesenchymal cells. CD44 glycoproteins are involved in leukocyte extravasation but also in the regulation of growth factor activation, stability, and signaling. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in arteriogenesis.