Human Acid Beta-glucosidase,GBA ELI

Glucosylceramidase that catalyzes, within the lysosomal compartment, the hydrolysis of glucosylceramide/GlcCer into free ceramide and glucose (PubMed:9201993, PubMed:24211208, PubMed:15916907).

Thereby, plays a central role in the degradation of complex lipids and the turnover of cellular membranes (PubMed:27378698).

Through the production of ceramides, participates in the PKC-activated salvage pathway of ceramide formation (PubMed:19279011).

Also plays a role in cholesterol metabolism (PubMed:24211208, PubMed:26724485).

May either catalyze the glucosylation of cholesterol, through a transglucosylation reaction that transfers glucose from glucosylceramide to cholesterol (PubMed:24211208, PubMed:26724485).

The short chain saturated C8:0-GlcCer and the mono-unsaturated C18:0-GlcCer being the most effective glucose donors for that transglucosylation reaction (PubMed:24211208).

Under specific conditions, may alternatively catalyze the reverse reaction, transferring glucose from cholesteryl-beta-D-glucoside to ceramide (PubMed:26724485).

Finally, may also hydrolyze cholesteryl-beta-D-glucoside to produce D-glucose and cholesterol (PubMed:24211208, PubMed:26724485).

{ECO:0000269|PubMed:15916907, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19279011, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24211208, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26724485, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27378698, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9201993}.