Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase--from oxidative stress to cellular functions and degenerative diseases.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, is indispensable to maintenance of the cytosolic pool of NADPH and thus the cellular redox balance. The role of G6PD as an antioxidant enzyme has been recognized in erythrocytes for a long time, as its deficiency is associated with neonatal jaundice, drug- or infection-mediated hemolytic crisis, favism and, less commonly, chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. To a large extent, advances in the field were made on the pathophysiology of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes, and the molecular characterization of different G6PD variants. Not until recently did numerous studies cast light on the importance of G6PD in other aspects of the physiology of both cells and organisms. Deficiency in G6PD activity, and hence a disturbance in redox homeostasis, can lead to dysregulation of cell growth and signaling, anomalous embryonic development, altered susceptibility to viral infection as well as increased susceptibility to degenerative diseases. The present review covers recent developments in this field. Additionally, molecular characterization of G6PD variants, especially those frequently found in Taiwan and Southern China, is also addressed.
Ho
Hung-yao
HY
Graduate Institute of Medical Biotechnology and Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Kwei-san, Tao-yuan, Taiwan.
Cheng
Mei-ling
ML
Chiu
Daniel Tsun-yee
DT
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D002681:China; D004194:Disease; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010427:Pentose Phosphate Pathway / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013624:Taiwan
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009249:NADP; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase