Hyaluronic Acid--an "Old" Molecule with "New" Functions: Biosynthesis and Depolymerization of Hyaluronic Acid in Bacteria and Vertebrate Tissues Including during Carcinogenesis.

Hyaluronic acid is an evolutionarily ancient molecule commonly found in vertebrate tissues and capsules of some bacteria. Here we review modern data regarding structure, properties, and biological functions of hyaluronic acid in mammals and Streptococcus spp. bacteria.

[Optimization of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus cultivation process--producer of hyaluronic acid].

Aim: Selection of high-mucoid morphotype of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) and study of its morphological, physiological, biochemical and technological characteristics for providing increased secretion of hyaluronic acid (HA).

Materials And Methods: Submerged cultivation was performed in 100 ml glass flasks without baffles or in 1.

[Synthesis and degradation of hyaluronic acid by bacteria of Streptococcus genus].

Modern data on metabolism of hyaluronic acid by bacteria from Streptococcus genus are presented. Several species of bacteria forming capsule from hyaluronic acid, which is analogous to glycosaminoglycan of vertebrates, are considered. Different aspects of hyaluronic acid synthesis are described: biochemical synthesis pathway, genetic basis, regulation of expression of genes belonging to hyaluronic acid synthesis operon.