UGCG

Description

The UGCG (UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 9.

Ceramide glucosyltransferase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the UGCG gene. Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a group of membrane components that contain lipid and sugar moieties. They are present in essentially all animal cells and are believed to have important roles in various cellular processes. UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase catalyzes the first glycosylation step in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis. The product, glucosylceramide, is the core structure of more than 300 GSLs. UGCG is widely expressed and transcription is upregulated during keratinocyte differentiation.

== Interactions == UGCG has been shown to interact with RTN1.

UGCG is involved in the initial step of the glucosylceramide-based glycosphingolipid (GSL) synthetic pathway at the cytosolic surface of the Golgi. It catalyzes the transfer of glucose from UDP-glucose to ceramide, producing glucosylceramide (GlcCer). GlcCer serves as the core component of GSLs, amphipathic molecules with a ceramide lipid moiety embedded in the outer leaflet of the membrane, linked to various oligosaccharide structures. GSLs play crucial roles in membrane microdomains, mediating membrane trafficking and signal transduction, impacting fundamental cellular processes like growth, differentiation, migration, morphogenesis, and cell-cell interactions. They are essential for proper nervous system development and function, regulating the leptin receptor in leptin signaling. Additionally, they contribute to skin barrier establishment by regulating keratinocyte differentiation and cornified envelope assembly. GSL biosynthesis is also required for efficient intestinal endocytic uptake of nutritional lipids. UGCG can also synthesize xylosylceramide (XylCer) using UDP-Xyl as a xylose donor.

UGCG is also known as GCS, GLCT1.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing