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Multiple Choice
In the pentose phosphate pathway, which enzyme catalyzes the first committed step, resulting in the production of 6-phosphoglucono-δ-lactone from glucose-6-phosphate?
A
Aldolase
B
Transketolase
C
Phosphoglucomutase
D
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the pentose phosphate pathway: This metabolic pathway is crucial for producing NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate, which are essential for biosynthetic reactions and nucleotide synthesis, respectively.
Identify the first committed step: The first committed step is the irreversible reaction that commits glucose-6-phosphate to the pentose phosphate pathway. This step is catalyzed by the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Describe the reaction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate, resulting in the production of 6-phosphoglucono-δ-lactone and NADPH. The reaction can be represented as:
Explain the role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: This enzyme is highly regulated and serves as the rate-limiting step of the pentose phosphate pathway. It ensures that glucose-6-phosphate is directed into the pathway when NADPH is needed.
Clarify why other enzymes are incorrect: Aldolase is involved in glycolysis, transketolase is involved in the non-oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway, and phosphoglucomutase is involved in glycogen metabolism. None of these enzymes catalyze the first committed step of the pentose phosphate pathway.