6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase(PGD) is a cytoplasm-located protein, and belongs to the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase family. 6PGD is the second dehydrogenase in the pentose phosphate shunt. It catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of 6-phosphogluconate to ribulose 5-phosphate and CO2, with concomitant reduction of NADP to NADPH. Mutations within the gene coding this enzyme result in 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase deficiency, an autosomal hereditary disease effecting the red blood cells.