Xylose

Xylose is metabolized into various chemical intermediates that can play critical functions in the biological homeostasis of the human body. Via the oxido-reductase metabolism pathway of xylose in eukaryotic organisms, xylose is ultimately catabolized into (D)-xylulose-5-phosphate, which functions as an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway. Within the pentose phosphate pathway, NADPH, pentose 5-carbon sugars, and ribose 5-phosphate are generated as materials and precursors for the synthesis of nucleotides. In particular, xylulose-5-phosphate can be used to directly generate glycerinaldehyde-3-phosphate in the pathway. Other studies have also demonstrated that xylulose-5-phosphate may also play a role in gene expression, perhaps by promoting ChREBP transcription factor in the well-fed state.