Sphingosine beta-galactosyltransferase
Class of enzymes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sphingosine beta-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.23) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
The enzyme transfer a galactose sugar from uridine diphosphate galactose to sphingosine at its terminal hydroxy group. This produces psychosine, a cytotoxic compound, with uridine diphosphate (UDP) as a byproduct.[1][2]
This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases, specifically the hexosyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is UDP-galactose:sphingosine 1-beta-galactosyltransferase. Other names in common use include psychosine-UDP galactosyltransferase, galactosyl-sphingosine transferase, psychosine-uridine diphosphate galactosyltransferase, UDP-galactose:sphingosine O-galactosyl transferase, uridine diphosphogalactose-sphingosine beta-galactosyltransferase, and UDP-galactose:sphingosine 1-beta-galactotransferase. This enzyme participates in sphingolipid metabolism.[3]
