Serine racemase (SR)

Serine racemase is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme found in humans and encoded by the SRR gene. It catalyzes the racemization of L-serine to D-serine, a process crucial for producing D-serine, which acts as an important co-agonist of NMDA receptors in the central nervous system. Serine racemase also catalyzes the β-elimination of L-serine to pyruvate and ammonia, a pathway that can divert L-serine from D-serine production. The enzyme is allosterically regulated by ATP and divalent cations, and its function is critical for modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission. Dysregulation of serine racemase or D-serine levels is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and may play a role in neurodegeneration and acute brain injuries like ischemic stroke. While there are no approved drugs directly targeting serine racemase, D-serine (the product of the enzyme) is under clinical investigation for a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders

Other names

SRSRRserine racemase (human)EC 5.1.1.18

Inhibition of serine racemase reduces D-serine synthesis, lowering NMDA receptor co-activation Activation or increased expression augments D-serine production, enhancing NMDA receptor function