title: Preparation and assay of recombinant serine racemase.
abstract: Serine racemase is a glial and neuronal enzyme that reversibly converts L-serine to D-serine, an endogenous co-agonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Here we present methods to recombinantly express and purify serine racemase in bacteria and two complementary ways to determine D-serine levels in unknown samples. Furthermore, a detailed protocol of serine racemase activity assays is described that can be used to screen for activators and inhibitors in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baumgart
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aicart-Ramos
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Crespo
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D019998:Racemases and Epimerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000099300:Serine Racemase
chemical_list: D019998:Racemases and Epimerases; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000099300:Serine Racemase