Target Information
This gene is one of seven beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4GalT) genes. They encode type II membrane-bound glycoproteins that appear to have exclusive specificity for the donor substrate UDP-galactose; all transfer galactose in a beta1,4 linkage to similar acceptor sugars: GlcNAc, Glc, and Xyl. Each beta4GalT has a distinct function in the biosynthesis of different glycoconjugates and saccharide structures. As type II membrane proteins, they have an N-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence that directs the protein to the Golgi apparatus and which then remains uncleaved to function as a transmembrane anchor. By sequence similarity, the beta4GalTs form four groups: beta4GalT1 and beta4GalT2, beta4GalT3 and beta4GalT4, beta4GalT5 and beta4GalT6, and beta4GalT7. The enzyme encoded by this gene appears to mainly play a role in glycolipid biosynthesis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene.
Synonyms
9130402O08Rik; B4GALT4; b4Gal-T4; B4galt-IV; Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 4; beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase IV; beta-1,4-GalTase 4; beta4Gal-T4; beta4GalT-IV; beta-N-acetylglucosaminyl; Beta-N-acetylglucosaminyl-glycolipid beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase; beta-N-acetylglucosaminyl-glycolipid beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 4; Lactotriaosylceramide beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase; N-acetyllactosamine synthase; Nal synthase; UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta 1,4- galactosyltransferase 4; UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta 1,4- galactosyltransferase, polypeptide 4; UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase, polypeptide 4; UDP-Gal:beta-GlcNAc beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 4; UDP-galactose:beta-N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 4; UNQ552/PRO1109