CD168/RHAMM

The CD168 molecule, also known as RHAMM/HABP (receptor for hyaluronic acid mediated motility/intracellular hyaluronic acid binding protein), is a ubiquitously expressed filamentous, cytoskeletal accessory protein. It is not, as originally reported, a cell surface receptor. The CD168 molecule plays a role in cell signalling, migration and adhesion via interactions with hyaluronan, microtubules, actin, calmodulin and components of the extracellular regulated kinase (erk) signalling pathway. CD168 appears to have an important role in human sperm motility. In the brain, the CD168 molecule is reported to be expressed in the majority of neurons and in many oligodendrocytes where it has an effect on astrocytes motility, neurite migration and axonal growth. CD168 is necessary for migration of smooth muscle cells after wound injury.

Image: CD168 staining of normal human testis. Note membrane staining of spermatocytes in the seminiferous cells. Paraffin section.