HYAL4specific

HYAL4specific is a term used in the literature to describe a HYAL4-derived enzymatic variant with altered substrate specificity and activity compared with canonical HYAL4. While HYAL4 is a human hyaluronidase that can degrade hyaluronic acid and certain chondroitin sulfates, HYAL4specific refers to either an alternatively spliced HYAL4 isoform or a recombinant construct engineered to probe substrate preference. In annotations, HYAL4specific is not universally recognized as a separate gene; instead it appears in experimental contexts as a tool to study HYAL4's activity.

Biochemical properties: HYAL4specific displays higher activity toward hyaluronic acid containing particular sulfation motifs and shows reduced activity toward non-hyaluronan glycosaminoglycans, or shows increased affinity for chondroitin sulfate chains with specific sulfation patterns; pH optima around acidic to neutral depending on study; kinetic constants vary across experiments.

Expression and localization: Reported in cell lines and tissues where HYAL4 is expressed; generally extracellular, possibly associated with the cell surface via GPI anchors or secreted forms; subcellular localization remains debated.

Functional significance: Proposed role in remodeling extracellular matrix during development, tissue repair, and tumor progression; may influence pericellular matrix degradation and cell invasion.

Clinical relevance: Studied in cancer and inflammatory diseases as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target; research is ongoing to clarify its prevalence and function.

Research tools: Recombinant HYAL4specific proteins, specific substrates, and antibodies used to distinguish HYAL4specific activity from HYAL1/HYAL2 activities.