This gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the first glycosylation step in the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids, which are membrane components containing lipid and sugar moieties. The product of this reaction is glucosylceramide, which is the core structure of many glycosphingolipids. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2014] see less This gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the first glycosylation step in the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids, which are membrane components containing lipid and sugar moieties. The product of this reaction is glucosylceramide, which is the core structure of many glycosphingolipids. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2014]