Description
Glucose-6-Phosphate 1-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a cytosolic enzyme that belongs to the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase family. G6PD participates in the pentose phosphate pathway that supplies reducing energy to cells by maintaining the level of the co-enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). G6PD produces pentose sugars for nucleic acid synthesis and main producer of NADPH reducing power. NADPH in turn maintains the level of glutathione in these cells that helps protect the red blood cells against oxidative damage. It is notable in humans that G6PD is remarkable for its genetic diversity. G6PD deficiency may cause neonatal jaundice, acute hemolysis, or severe chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia.