Application

Alanine racemase is used to convert L-alanine into D-alanine. Alanine racemase, from Sigma, has been used to isomerize L-[U-¹⁴C]alanine to a racemic mixture of L/D- [¹⁴C]alanine †.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Alanine racemase is involved in alanine, aspartate and D-alanine metabolism. 3-Fluoro-D-alanine and D-Cycloserine are known to inhibit alanine racemase.† Alanine racemase monomer is composed of two domains, an eight-stranded α/β barrel at the N-terminus and a C-terminal domain. The N-terminus includes residues 1-240, whereas the C-terminal comprises of the β-strand (residues 241-388). One molecule of pyridoxalphosphate (PLP) is present as the cofactor in each subunit.†

Physical form

Aqueous solution containing 10 mM potassium phosphate

Unit Definition

One unit will convert 1.0 µmole of D-alanine to L-alanine per minute at pH 10.5 at 30 °C in a coupled assay system with L-alanine dehydrogenase.