Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) (RHAMM)

Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor (RHAMM), also known as CD168 or IHABP, is a non-integral cell surface and intracellular hyaluronan-binding protein that plays a pivotal role in cell migration and mitosis (UniProt O75330). Unlike typical receptors, RHAMM lacks a transmembrane domain and functions by associating with other proteins, such as CD44, to activate intracellular signaling cascades like the ERK/MAPK pathway (PubMed: 24553118). It is also a critical component of the mitotic spindle, where it interacts with microtubules to ensure proper spindle assembly and chromosomal stability (NCBI Gene: 3161). While RHAMM expression is minimal in most normal adult tissues, it is highly overexpressed in various cancers, including breast, lung, and hematological malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia, where it is associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis (PubMed: 15608258). This differential expression makes RHAMM an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, particularly through peptide-based vaccines like RHAMM-R3, which aim to induce a cytotoxic T-cell response against tumor cells (PubMed: 21389323). Additionally, therapeutic strategies targeting the RHAMM-hyaluronan interaction are being explored to inhibit tumor progression and inflammation.

Other names

CD168HMMRIntracellular hyaluronan-binding proteinIHABPReceptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility

Peptide vaccination to induce CD8+ T-cell responses against RHAMM-expressing tumor cells; competitive inhibition of hyaluronan binding to block downstream signaling.