Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 5 (B4GALT5)

Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 5 (B4GALT5) is a type II membrane-bound glycosyltransferase responsible for transferring galactose from UDP-galactose to glucosylceramide, thereby synthesizing lactosylceramide (LacCer), a critical precursor in ganglioside and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis[1][2]. B4GALT5 is fundamental for early embryogenesis, neuronal maturation, and myelination. In cancer, B4GALT5 regulates cell proliferation, migration, and multidrug resistance, partly through modulating hedgehog signaling and upregulating drug efflux transporters such as P-gp and MRP1, making it a candidate biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in oncology, particularly in leukemia where high expression contributes to poor therapeutic outcomes[2][3].

Other names

Beta-1,4-GalTase 5Beta4Gal-T5Lactosylceramide synthaseLacCer synthasebeta4GalT-VBeta-1,4-GalT IIGlucosylceramide beta-1,4-galactosyltransferaseUDP-Gal:beta-GlcNAc beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 5UDP-galactose:beta-N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 5beta4-GalT IVgt-V

Indirect mechanisms: B4GALT5 upregulation activates hedgehog signaling and increases expression of drug efflux pumps (P-glycoprotein/P-gp and MRP1), conferring resistance to chemotherapeutic agents[3].