What is "galactosylceramidase"

n. (context enzyme English) An enzyme that removes galactose from ceramide derivatives (galactocerebrosides).

Galactosylceramidase (or galactocerebrosidase) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the GALC gene. Galactosylceramidase is an enzyme which removes galactose from ceramide derivatives ( galactocerebrosides).

Galactosylceramidase is a lysosomal protein which hydrolyzes the galactose ester bonds of galactocerebroside, galactosylsphingosine, lactosylceramide, and monogalactosyldiglyceride. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Krabbe disease, also known as globoid cell leukodystrophy.