1.2 NADPH and its function

pentose phosphate pathway

anabolic pathway that runs parallel to upper glycolysis

that involves the oxidation of glucose G6P

pentose phosphate pathway AKA

hexose monophosphate shunt

PPP primary outputs

NADPH

Ribose 5 phosphate

erythrose 4 phosphate

NADPH

used in reductive biosynthesis in cells like fatty acid synthesis,

formed in the oxidative phase of the PPP

ribose 5 phosphate

a precursor for → nucleotides ,important for new genetic material 

erythrrose 4 phosphate

precursor for→ aromatic amino acids

NADPH is in the oxidative phase of the PPP

2 molecuels of NADP+ are reduced to H using the energy stored on G6P

H is regulated by the enzyme

glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase G6PD

H acts as a reducing agent in biochemical processes

and a co factor in anabolic reactions

the ratio of H to + is tightly regulated in healthy invididuals

if + conc is more than H:

more oxidants,

more catabolisms,

less anabolic processes

and vice versa

NADPH has many other uses

• used to create superoxide radicals in immune cells causing oxidative damage to phagoctyosed microbes

• produces cholestrol fatty acids and phospholipids

• manufacture steroid hormones in glandular tissue

• activates cytochrome P450 pathways in the liver to neutralise toxins and hormones