Glucose 6-phosphatase

Glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes glucose-6-phosphate resulting in the creation of a phosphate group and free glucose. Glucose is then exported from the cell via glucose transporter membrane proteins. This catalysis completes the final step in gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis and therefore plays a key role in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels. In humans, there are three isozymes, G6PC, G6PC2, and G6PC3.

The G6Pase family includes two functional phosphohydrolases; G6Pase-α and G6Pase-β, the former of which is the prototype. G6Pase-α and G6Pase-β share similar active site structure, topology, mechanism of action, and kinetic properties with respect to G6P hydrolysis.