Mediates depolymerization of hyaluronic acid (HA) via the cell membrane-associated clathrin-coated pit endocytic pathway. Binds to hyaluronic acid. Hydrolyzes high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to produce an intermediate-sized product, a process that may occur through rapid vesicle endocytosis and recycling without intracytoplasmic accumulation or digestion in lysosomes. Involved in hyaluronan catabolism in the dermis of the skin and arthritic synovium. Positively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and hence tumor cell growth, invasion and cancer dissemination. In collaboration with HSPA5/BIP, promotes cancer cell migration in a calcium and PKC-dependent manner. May be involved in hearing.
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