This gene encodes a protein which is similar in structure to hyaluronidases but lacks hyaluronidase activity. The encoded protein acts as a chondroitin-sulfate-specific endo-beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase; that is, it exhibits hydrolytic activity toward chondroitin sulfate chains and degrades them into oligosaccharides. Proteoglycans are formed by the covalent linkage of chondroitin sulfate chains to protein. Proteoglycans are ubiquitous components of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues and are also found at the surface of many cell types where they participate in a variety of cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell-cell recognition, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue morphogenesis. The expression of this gene is highest in testes and placenta. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2019] see less This gene encodes a protein which is similar in structure to hyaluronidases but lacks hyaluronidase activity. The encoded protein acts as a chondroitin-sulfate-specific endo-beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase; that is, it exhibits hydrolytic activity toward chondroitin sulfate chains and degrades them into oligosaccharides. Proteoglycans are formed by the covalent linkage of chondroitin sulfate cha... see more