– Glucosylceramidase that catalyzes, within the lysosomal compartment, the hydrolysis of glucosylceramide/GlcCer into free ceramide and glucose. Thereby, plays a central role in the degradation of complex lipids and the turnover of cellular membranes. Through the production of ceramides, participates in the PKC-activated salvage pathway of ceramide formation. Also plays a role in cholesterol metabolism. May either catalyze the glucosylation of cholesterol, through a transglucosylation reaction that transfers glucose from glucosylceramide to cholesterol. The short chain saturated C8:0-GlcCer and the mono-unsaturated C18:0-GlcCer being the most effective glucose donors for that transglucosylation reaction. Under specific conditions, may alternatively catalyze the reverse reaction, transferring glucose from cholesteryl-beta-D-glucoside to ceramide. Finally, may also hydrolyze cholesteryl-beta-D-glucoside to produce D-glucose and cholesterol.