The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the UDP-glycosyltransferase family. It catalyzes the transfer of galactose to ceramide, a key enzymatic step in the biosynthesis of galactocerebrosides, which are abundant sphingolipids of the myelin membrane of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2011].