Many CD44 isoforms have been identified. All CD44 isoforms utilize identical transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Since HA is present ubiquitously in extracellular matrix and in circulation, promiscuous binding of HA to CD44 may have undesirable affect. Similar to other adhesion molecules, binding of HA to cell surface CD44 requires regulation. In this review, we summarized our studies using a human lymphoma cell line, Jurkat.
Cellular activation induces the reorganization of the cytoskeleton proteins.
Reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins results in clustering of CD44 on the cell surface. Clustering of CD44 on the cell surface is a prerequisite for the homodimerization of CD44.