“Spreading factors” that degrade this molecule increase the motility of members of Clostridium (“claw-strid-ee-um”), Streptococcus (“strep-toh-kok-us”), and Staphylococcus (“staff-ih-loh-kok-us”) in tissue. Low molecular weight fragments of this molecule are pro-inflammatory and angiogenic, while high molecular weight types are immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic. BX7B motifs bind this molecule in receptors like RHAMM (“ram”) and CD44 (“C-D-forty-four”), which mediates its rapid turnover. This molecule in the corona radiata is degraded by an enzyme released during the acrosomal reaction. Fillers like Restylane (“rest-al-in”) and Juvederm (“joov-eh-derm”) consist mostly of this molecule, as do injections for knee pain due to osteoarthritis. This polymer consists of units of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine (“N-ah-SEE-til-glue-KOS-ah-meen”), and it is a main component of lubricants like synovial fluid. For 10 points, name this only non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (“gly-kos-ah-meen-oh-gly-can”) often included in “hydrating” skincare formulations. ■END■
ANSWER: hyaluronic acid [or hyaluronan; accept native hyaluronic acid, accept low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, accept high molecular weight hyaluronic acid; prompt on any of HA, LMW-HA, or HMW-HA]
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= Average correct buzz position