Hyaluronidases, a group of glycosidases: Current and future perspectives

Given the constant synthesis and degradation of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, HA) in tissues, it is remarkable that the human body maintains precise levels of hyaluronan as tightly as it does. Hyaluronidases represent a group of glycosidases, which mainly degrade hyaluronan, a linear, non-sulfated polysaccharide composed of repeating disaccharide units ID-glucuronic acid (1-beta-3) N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (1-beta-4)]n. They are widely distributed in nature, being found in mammals, insects, leeches and bacteria. There has been a plethora of review articles on hyaluronidases, either as a subject on their own or as part of a review on glycosidases enzymes. The present review summarizes the current research on their classification, sources, activity assays, bio-physical and chemical properties, crystal structural features and its catalytic mechanism. Special emphasis is given to the importance role of that type of enzymes in biotechnological processes, as well as its medicinal and bio-industrial applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.