This domain is found at the C-terminal end of Galactocerebrosidase from Mus musculus (GALCERase) and similar proteins predominantly found in animals and bacteria. GALCERase hydrolyses the galactose ester bonds of glycolipids such as galactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine. It is responsible for the lysosomal catabolism of galactosylceramide, a major lipid in myelin, kidney and epithelial cells of small intestine and colon. This protein is organised into three domains, all of them contributing residues to the substrate- binding pocket. This entry represents the lectin domain, which is not present in other lysosomal enzymes, is likely to be be involved in processes that are not found in related enzymes. Mutations in this domain lead to Krabbe disease [1].

1: Insights into Krabbe disease from structures of galactocerebrosidase. Deane JE, Graham SC, Kim NN, Stein PE, McNair R, Cachon-Gonzalez MB, Cox TM, Read RJ; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108:15169-15173. PMID:21876145

2: Structural snapshots illustrate the catalytic cycle of beta-galactocerebrosidase, the defective enzyme in Krabbe disease. Hill CH, Graham SC, Read RJ, Deane JE; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110:20479-20484. PMID:24297913