The cell surface hyaluronidase TMEM2 regulates cell adhesion and migration via degradation of hyaluronan at focal adhesion sites.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and poses a significant physical barrier to in vivo cell migration. Accordingly, as a means of enhancing tissue invasion, tumor cells use matrix metalloproteinases to degrade ECM proteins. However, the in vivo ECM is comprised not only of proteins but also of a variety of nonprotein components. Hyaluronan (HA), one of the most abundant nonprotein components of the interstitial ECM, forms a gel-like antiadhesive barrier that is impenetrable to particulate matter and cells. Mechanisms by which tumor cells penetrate the HA barrier have not been addressed. Here, we demonstrate that transmembrane protein 2 (TMEM2), the only known transmembrane hyaluronidase, is the predominant mediator of contact-dependent

SUBMITTER: Irie F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8042168 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature