| NADPH production |
Catalyzes the first step of the PPP, generating NADPH, a crucial cofactor in reductive biosynthesis and antioxidant defense |
| Antioxidant defense |
Provides NADPH for glutathione reductase to maintain reduced glutathione (GSH), defending against oxidative stress |
| Lipid and nucleotide biosynthesis |
Supplies NADPH for fatty acid and nucleotide synthesis, especially important in the liver, adipose tissue, and proliferating cells |
| Cell Proliferation and Cancer |
Supports growth and survival of rapidly dividing cells (e.g., cancer cells) by fueling anabolic reactions and controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels |
| Immune response support |
Provides NADPH for the NADPH oxidase complex in phagocytes, enabling production of superoxide for microbial killing |
