Enzymatic assay of D-serine using D-serine dehydratase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Anal Biochem. 2007 Dec 15;371(2):167-72. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2007.07.030. Epub 2007 Aug 9.

Abstract

D-Serine is localized in the mammalian forebrain and modulates brain functions as a coagonist of an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. D-Serine is also found in human urine, although its physiological meaning is unclear. A method for rapid and simple assay of D-serine is probably useful for studying its physiological role and clinical relevance. Currently, D-serine is assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography after derivatization of the amino acid to a diastereomer. The method is time consuming and requires expensive equipment. In this study, we developed a rapid and simple method for the D-serine assay using D-serine dehydratase newly found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast d-serine dehydratase acts dominantly on d-serine, in contrast with previously reported bacterial enzymes that act on both D- and L-serine. In our method, pyruvate produced from D-serine by the dehydratase reaction is assayed with lactic dehydrogenase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Our enzymatic method could be used for the quantitative determination of D-serine in human urine.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Racemase / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Humans
  • Hydro-Lyases / metabolism*
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • NAD / metabolism
  • Pyruvic Acid
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Serine / urine*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • NAD
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Serine
  • Pyruvic Acid
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Hydro-Lyases
  • D-serine dehydratase
  • Alanine Racemase