Glb1l, β-galactosidase-1-like, is a gene that may be involved in multiple biological processes. Although its exact core function remains to be fully elucidated, it has been associated with pathways related to glycosphingolipid carbohydrate moiety assembly [4]. Understanding its function is likely crucial for insights into certain biological functions related to lipid-associated processes.

In a study on colorectal cancer stages transcriptome analysis, Glb1l was among the genes with a p-value of 0.0001 in differential expression analysis, suggesting a potential link to the clinical staging of colorectal cancer [1]. In the study of apocrine glands in hidradenitis suppurativa, Glb1l was among the genes upregulated in female apocrine glands, which are specifically transcribed during testis differentiation and/or regulated by androgens, indicating a gender-specific response in this skin condition [2]. In the yak epididymis, Glb1l showed relatively high expression in the corpus epididymis, highlighting its role in the epididymal maturation process of spermatozoa [3]. A 4-mRNA signature including Glb1l was identified as having good prognostic value for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the expression of Glb1l was associated with the level of tumor-infiltrating immune cells [5]. In the study of fresh corn extract on chicken meat quality, Glb1l was among the genes affecting intramuscular fat deposition [6].

In conclusion, Glb1l appears to be involved in a variety of biological processes, from cancer-related prognosis and staging to gender-specific glandular responses, sperm maturation, and meat quality-related lipid deposition. These findings from different research models contribute to understanding the role of Glb1l in specific disease areas such as colorectal cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, as well as in non-disease-related biological functions.

References:

1. Huo, Tianyao, Canepa, Ronald, Sura, Andrei, Modave, François, Gong, Yan. 2017. Colorectal cancer stages transcriptome analysis. In PloS one, 12, e0188697. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0188697. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29182684/

2. Zouboulis, C C, Nogueira da Costa, A, Fimmel, S, Zouboulis, K C. 2020. Apocrine glands are bystanders in hidradenitis suppurativa and their involvement is gender specific. In Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 34, 1555-1563. doi:10.1111/jdv.16264. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32031713/

3. Zhao, Wangsheng, Quansah, Eugene, Yuan, Meng, Yi, Chuanping, Cai, Xin. 2019. Region-specific gene expression in the epididymis of Yak. In Theriogenology, 139, 132-146. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.08.006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404823/

4. Goetstouwers, Tiphanie, Van Poucke, Mario, Coddens, Annelies, Cox, Eric, Peelman, Luc J. 2014. Variation in 12 porcine genes involved in the carbohydrate moiety assembly of glycosphingolipids does not account for differential binding of F4 Escherichia coli and their fimbriae. In BMC genetics, 15, 103. doi:10.1186/s12863-014-0103-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25277275/

5. Zhao, Shuang, Dong, Xin, Ni, Xiaoguang, Zhang, Kaitai, Gao, Yanning. 2021. Exploration of a Novel Prognostic Risk Signature and Its Effect on the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. In Frontiers in oncology, 11, 709931. doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.709931. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34692486/

6. Tian, Jinli, Wu, Yanxu, Zhao, Wei, Gu, Yaling, Zhang, Juan. 2025. Transcriptomic and metabolomic-based revelation of the effect of fresh corn extract on meat quality of Jingyuan chicken. In Poultry science, 104, 104814. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2025.104814. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39848207/