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Description

Glucosylceramidase (EC 3.2.1.45, UniProt P04062, also known as Acid beta-glucosidase, Alglucerase, Beta-GC, Beta-glucocerebrosidase, D-glucosyl-N-acylsphingosine glucohydrolase, Imiglucerase) is encoded by the GBA (also known as GC, GLUC) gene (Gene ID 2629) in human. It is a 62 kDa membrane associated lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide. It requires a signal peptide for transport across the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and glycosylation for transport into lysosomes where it is activated by saposin C. Over 300 different mutations have been identified in the GBA gene that lead to the deficiency or complete absence of glucosylceramidase activity leading to Gaucher s disease, one of the most common inherited disorder involving accumulation of glycolipids in macrophages, mainly in liver, spleen, and bone marrow. This disease is characterized by enlargement of liver and spleen, liver malfunction, anemia, bone lesions, and severe neurologic complications. Ref.: Novo JB et al. (2010). Mol. Biotechnol. 46, 279-286.