D-Glucose 6-phosphate solution (CAS 56-73-5)

D-Glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) is a pivotal metabolite in both the glycolytic and gluconeogenesis pathways, acting as a critical node in cellular energy metabolism. Found ubiquitously in living cells, G6P arises from glucose during the first step of glycolysis when glucose is phosphorylated by hexokinase or glucokinase. This phosphorylation effectively traps glucose within the cell and renders it more chemically reactive, facilitating further metabolic processes. In research, G6P is extensively utilized to study various aspects of cellular metabolism, including the regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, as well as the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which is crucial for the generation of NADPH and ribose 5-phosphate. The latter is vital for nucleotide synthesis. Studies using G6P often employ isotopically labeled versions to trace and quantify flux through these pathways via mass spectrometry or NMR techniques, providing insights into how cells respond to different physiological states or environmental changes. Additionally, G6P plays a significant role in signaling mechanisms that regulate carbohydrate metabolism, with its levels influencing key enzymes such as glycogen phosphorylase and phosphofructokinase. This makes it a focal point in research aimed at understanding metabolic diseases where these pathways are disrupted.