INTRODUCTION

Hexose monophosphate pathway or HMP shunt is also called pentose phosphate or phosphogluconate pathway. This is an alternative pathway of glycolysis and TCA cycle for oxidation of glucose. It does not generate ATP but has the following two major functions:

1. The generation of NADPH for reductive synthesis such as fatty acids and steroids
2. The provision of ribose residues for the nucleotide biosynthesis