6PGD is the second dehydrogenase in the pentose phosphate shunt. Pentose is neccesary for nucleic acid biosynthesis. The pentose phosphate cycle is a major source of NADPH 6PGD deficiency is usually asymptomatic， and the inheritance of this disorder is autosomal dominant. PGD deficiency raises the erythrocyte pyruvate kinase levels of activity and decreases glutathione synthetase， resulting in hemolysis.
