Bee venom hyaluronidase is an endo-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase that specifically cleaves the beta-1,4-glycosidic bond between N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) and D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) in hyaluronic acid. It degrades hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix of skin, so facilitating penetration of venom constituents into the body. The bee venom enzyme shows some sequence identity with human hyaluronidases, which are involved in hyaluronic acid turnover and also in fertilisation. Bee venom hyaluronidase has been classified with the mammalian enzymes in the glycosidase family 56.
Defined by 5 residues: ASP:A-111GLU:A-113TYR:A-184TYR:A-227TRP:A-301