The Pentose Phosphate Pathway: Nature’s Metabolic Swiss Army Knife

Join us as we explore the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) — a metabolic marvel that doubles as a cellular defender and a master builder. Often overshadowed by glycolysis, the PPP is the metabolic Swiss Army knife of the cell, capable of switching functions to meet ever-changing needs. From producing NADPH, the cell’s antioxidant shield, to synthesizing ribose-5-phosphate, the backbone of DNA and RNA, this pathway showcases nature’s genius for multitasking.

In this episode, we’ll break down the PPP’s two interconnected branches, discuss its essential role in specific tissues like the liver and red blood cells, and unveil how hummingbirds and cancer cells uniquely exploit it. We’ll also explore how the pathway’s regulation and its connection to G6PD deficiency reveal surprising evolutionary trade-offs, such as malaria resistance.