title: D-Serine in neurobiology: CNS neurotransmission and neuromodulation.
abstract: Homochirality is fundamental for life. L-Amino acids are exclusively used as substrates for the polymerization and formation of peptides and proteins in living systems. However, D- amino acids were recently detected in various living organisms, including mammals. Of these D-amino acids, D-serine has been most extensively studied. D-Serine was found to play an important role as a neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr). D-Serine binds with high affinity to a co-agonist site at the NMDAr and, along with glutamate, mediates several vital physiological and pathological processes, including NMDAr transmission, synaptic plasticity and neurotoxicity. Therefore, a key role for D-serine as a determinant of NMDAr mediated neurotransmission in mammalian CNS has been suggested. In this context, we review the known functions of D-serine in human physiology, such as CNS development, and pathology, such as neuro-psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases related to NMDAr dysfunction.
authors.forename: Sanaa K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bardaweel
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alzweiri
authors.forename: Aman A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ishaqat
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D012694:Serine