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An overview on d-amino acids

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Abstract

More than half a century ago researchers thought that d-amino acids had a minor function compared to l-enantiomers in biological processes. Many evidences have shown that d-amino acids are present in high concentration in microorganisms, plants, mammals and humans and fulfil specific biological functions. In the brain of mammals, d-serine (d-Ser) acts as a co-agonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors, responsible for learning, memory and behaviour. d-Ser metabolism is relevant for disorders associated with an altered function of the NMDA receptor, such as schizophrenia, ischemia, epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders. On the other hand, d-aspartate (d-Asp) is one of the major regulators of adult neurogenesis and plays an important role in the development of endocrine function. d-Asp is present in the neuroendocrine and endocrine tissues and testes, and regulates the synthesis and secretion of hormones and spermatogenesis. Also food proteins contain d-amino acids that are naturally originated or processing-induced under conditions such as high temperatures, acid and alkali treatments and fermentation processes. The presence of d-amino acids in dairy products denotes thermal and alkaline treatments and microbial contamination. Two enzymes are involved in the metabolism of d-amino acids: amino acid racemase in the synthesis and d-amino acid oxidase in the degradation.

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Italia (MIUR). The author also thanks Dr. Adelaide Romito for English revision.

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  1. Dipartimento di Farmacia e Scienze della Salute e della Nutrizione, Università della Calabria (UNICAL), Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, 87036, Italy

    Giuseppe Genchi

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  1. Giuseppe Genchi
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Genchi.

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Genchi, G. An overview on d-amino acids. Amino Acids 49, 1521–1533 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-017-2459-5

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