May have a role in promoting tumor progression. May block the TGFB1-enhanced cell growth (By similarity). Overexpression of HYAL1 suppressed the growth rate of colon carcinoma cell tumors in an experimental model. Random hydrolysis of (1->4)-linkages between N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronate residues in hyaluronate. Belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 56 family.