Molecular and biochemical characterization of a serine racemase from Arabidopsis thaliana

A cDNA encoding the homolog of mammalian serine racemase was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The gene product catalyzes not only the racemization of serine but also the dehydration of serine to pyruvate in the presence of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and divalent cation at alkaline pH.