D-Serine Metabolism and Its Importance in Development of .

In mammals, D-Ser is synthesized by serine racemase (SR) and degraded by D-amino acid oxidase (DAO). D-Ser acts as an endogenous ligand for -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- and δ2 glutamate receptors, and is involved in brain functions such as learning and memory. Although SR homologs are highly conserved in eukaryotes, little is known about the significance of D-Ser in non-mammals.