This gene encodes a homodimeric glycoprotein, alpha galactosidase, that hyrdrolyses the terminal alphagalactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins.

This enzyme predominantly hydrolyzes ceramide trihexoside, and it can catalyze the hydrolysis of melibiose into galactose and glucose.

A variety of mutations in this gene affect the synthesis, processing, and stability of this enzyme, which causes Fabry disease, a rare lysosomal storage disorder that results from a failure to catabolize alpha-D-galactosyl glycolipid moieties.