Hyaluronan: a multifunctional, megaDalton, stealth molecule

Hyaluronan has been implicated in biological processes such as cell adhesio n, migration and proliferation. Traditionally, it was thought to be associa ted with the extracellular matrix, but, hyaluronan may also have unimagined roles inside the cell. Investigation of hyaluronan synthesis and degradati on, the identification of new receptors and binding proteins, and the eluci dation of hyaluronan-dependent signaling pathways are providing novel insig hts into the true biological functions of this fascinating molecule.