In the pentose-phosphate pathway, pentoses and NADPH are negative regulators, whereas the NADP+ and glucose-6-P enhance the pathway
The roles of pentoses and NADPH
- Pentoses are needed for the synthesis of nucleotides and nucleic acids
- NADPH is required for the neutralization of the peroxide form in RBC through the Glutathione system (GSS/GSSH), since peroxide can damage the RBCs
The irreversible, binding, speed determining step in the process is the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase act.