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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Galactosylceramide (galactocerebroside)

Galactosylceramide is a ceramide with one galactose and a main myelin lipid. Failure to break it down causes Krabbe disease.

Updated 2026-11-01

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## Key facts

- Ceramide + β-galactose; made by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.
- With a sulfate on the galactose it becomes sulfatide.
- Galactocerebrosidase (GALC gene) breaks it into galactose + ceramide in the lysosome.
- The same enzyme breaks down psychosine (galactosylsphingosine), a lipid toxic to myelin-forming cells.

**Also called**
Galactocerebroside, GalCer

**Formula**
C₄₈H₉₃NO₈

## Structure

- The 3D model (PDB GCY) is a galactosylceramide with a 24-carbon fatty acid (lignoceric acid), typical of myelin.
- It differs from glucosylceramide only in the sugar: galactose (a C4 epimer) instead of glucose.

## Clinical notes

- In Krabbe disease, stored psychosine kills oligodendrocytes: fast demyelination and multinucleated globoid cells.
- Antibodies against galactocerebroside have been studied in demyelinating neuropathies.

## Related conditions

- [Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/krabbe-disease/)
- [Metachromatic leukodystrophy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/metachromatic-leukodystrophy/)

## Related

- [Sulfatide](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/sulfatide/)
- [Ceramide](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/ceramide/)
- [Glucosylceramide (glucocerebroside)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucosylceramide/)
- [Sphingolipids and sphingolipidoses](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/sphingolipids-and-sphingolipidoses/)
- [Galactose](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/galactose/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which enzyme is missing in Krabbe disease?

Galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which breaks down galactosylceramide and psychosine.

## Which toxic lipid explains oligodendrocyte death in Krabbe disease?

Psychosine (galactosylsphingosine), which is not broken down without GALC.

## How do galactosylceramide and glucosylceramide differ?

Only in the sugar on the ceramide: galactose versus glucose, C4 epimers.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [RCSB PDB - GCY Ligand Summary Page](https://www.rcsb.org/ligand/GCY) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); [Glycosphingolipid metabolism](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-1660662) (Reactome, 2026); [Krabbe disease: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/krabbe-disease/) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [GALC gene: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/galc/) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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