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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/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](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/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

- [Glycolysis](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/glycolysis/)

## Related conditions

- [Lactic acidosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/lactic-acidosis/)

## Related

- [Glucose](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucose/)
- [Hexokinase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/hexokinase/)

## 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.

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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)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/439427) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase-deficiency/) (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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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucose-6-phosphate/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucose-6-phosphate/