Function
Alanine racemase (AR) catalyzes the racemization of L-alanine to D-alanine. AR uses pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. PLP binds to a lysine residue of AR. AR participates in alanine and aspartate metabolism. [1]
Disease
The antibiotic D-cycloserine is an effective inhibitor of AR.
Relevance
The D-alanine produced by AR is used for peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Peptidoglycans are found in cell walls of bacteria hence AR inhibitors are tested as antimicrobial drugs.
Structural highlights
AR uses 2 catalytic bases for the reaction: from different monomers.[1]
