Biochemistry · Molecule
Glucose 6-phosphate !
Glucose 6-phosphate is glucose trapped in the cell: from here it can go to energy, to glycogen or to the pentose pathway.
Updated 2026-10-31
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Key facts
- It is made in the first step of glycolysis (hexokinase or glucokinase), using one ATP.
- It is a crossroads: glycolysis, glycogen synthesis (via glucose 1-phosphate) and the pentose phosphate pathway (G6PD).
- Only the liver and kidney have glucose-6-phosphatase, which turns it back into free glucose for the blood.
- Also called
- G6P
- Formula
- C₆H₁₃O₉P
- PubChem
- CID 439427
Structure
- The phosphate sits on carbon 6, the CH₂OH outside the ring; at cell pH it carries two negative charges.
Clinical notes
- Lack of glucose-6-phosphatase (von Gierke disease, glycogen storage disease Ia) causes severe fasting hypoglycemia, a large liver and lactic acidosis.
- G6PD uses G6P to make NADPH, which shields red cells from oxidative damage; its deficiency is common in Latin America.
Pathways
Related conditions
Related
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which organs can release free glucose from glucose 6-phosphate?
The liver and the renal cortex, because they have glucose-6-phosphatase.
Which enzyme starts the pentose phosphate pathway from G6P?
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), which makes NADPH.
What disease does lack of glucose-6-phosphatase cause?
Glycogen storage disease type Ia (von Gierke): fasting hypoglycemia, a large liver, lactic acidosis.
Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Sources: beta-D-Glucose 6-phosphate (CID 439427) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).
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