Fig. 2

CD44/HA interaction in tumor. CD44/HA binding in the malignant setting elicits an interaction of CD44 with ErbB2, EGFR and TGFßR1 that alter the physiological effects of these receptors. It transmits signals through the cytoplasmic domain after binding with diverse cytoskeletal proteins such as actin-cytoskeleton adaptor protein, ankyrin, ezrin-redixin-moesin (ERM) proteins, intracellular signaling components including the Rho family GTPases, Src kinases and associated molecules. To a great extent, MAP kinase and PI3 kinase/AKT signaling mediate cell proliferation, cell survival, cell motility and invasion as well chemoresistance [14]. ErbB2, epidermal growth factor receptor-2, EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor, TGFßR1, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1, GTPases, family of hydrolase enzymes that bind and hydrolyse guanosine triphosphate (GTP)