Glycosyl hydrolase 56 family

(Hyaluronidase) (Venom spreading factor)

General Hyaluronidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid (HA), an anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial and neural tissues, forming part of the extracellular matrix.

In venom, glycosaminoglycan hydrolysis by hyaluronidases is thought to participate in the degradation of the extracellular matrix, thus allowing a rapid spreading of other venom components during the envenomation process.