GALC

This gene encodes a lysosomal protein which hydrolyzes the galactose ester bonds of galactosylceramide, galactosylsphingosine, lactosylceramide, and monogalactosyldiglyceride. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Krabbe disease, also known as globoid cell leukodystrophy. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

galactosylceramidase

Function

Hydrolyzes the galactose ester bonds of glycolipids such as galactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine (PubMed:8281145, PubMed:8399327).

Enzyme with very low activity responsible for the lysosomal catabolism of galactosylceramide, a major lipid in myelin, kidney and epithelial cells of small intestine and colon (PubMed:8281145, PubMed:8399327).

Biological Process

Galactosylceramide catabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Glycosphingolipid metabolic process Source: Reactome
Myelination Source: Ensembl

Cellular Location

Lysosome

Involvement in disease

Leukodystrophy, globoid cell (GLD):
Disease descriptionAn autosomal recessive disorder characterized by insufficient catabolism of several galactolipids that are important for normal myelin production. Four clinical forms are recognized. The infantile form accounts for 90% of cases. It manifests before six months of age with irritability, spasticity, arrest of motor and mental development, and bouts of temperature elevation without infection. This is followed by myoclonic jerks of arms and legs, oposthotonus, hypertonic fits, and mental regression, which progresses to a severe decerebrate condition with no voluntary movements and death from respiratory infections or cerebral hyperpyrexia before 2 years of age. Cases with later onset present with unexplained blindness, weakness and sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, mental deterioration and death.