A4GALT

The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the transfer of galactose to lactosylceramide to form globotriaosylceramide, which has been identified as the P(k) antigen of the P blood group system. This protein, a type II membrane protein found in the Golgi, is also required for the synthesis of the bacterial verotoxins receptor. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2015]

Full Name

Alpha 1,4-Galactosyltransferase (P Blood Group)

Function

Catalyzes the transfer of galactose from UDP-alpha-D-galactose to lactosylceramide/beta-D-galactosyl-(1->4)-beta-D-glucosyl-(1<->1)-ceramide(d18:1(4E)) to produce globotriaosylceramide/globoside Gb3Cer (d18:1(4E)). Also able to transfer galactose to galactosylceramide/beta-D-Gal-(1<->1')-Cer. Globoside Gb3Cer is a glycosphingolipid of the globo serie, one of the major types of neutral root structures of glycosphingolipids, that constitute a significant portion of mammalian cell membranes (Probable). Globotriaosylceramide/globoside Gb3Cer in blood and tissue cell membranes is the antigen Pk of blood histogroup P.

Biological Process

Globoside biosynthetic process
Glycosphingolipid biosynthetic process
Plasma membrane organization

Cellular Location

Golgi apparatus membrane; Membrane protein

Topology

Cytoplasmic: 1-22 aa
Helical: 23-43 aa
Lumenal: 44-353 aa