The uronate cycle functions as an alternative glucose metabolic pathway, accounting for about 5% of daily glucose catabolism. The product of this gene catalyzes the dehydrogenation of L-gulonate into dehydro-L-gulonate in the uronate cycle. The enzyme requires NAD(H) as a coenzyme, and is inhibited by inorganic phosphate. A similar gene in the rabbit is thought to serve a structural role in the lens of the eye. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].