Alanine racemase

In enzymology, an alanine racemase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * L-alanine $$\rightleftharpoons$$ D-alanine

Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, L-alanine, and one product, D-alanine.

This enzyme belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically those racemases and epimerases acting on amino acids and derivatives. The systematic name of this enzyme class is alanine racemase. This enzyme is also called L-alanine racemase. This enzyme participates in alanine and aspartate metabolism and D-alanine metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate. At least one compound, 3-Fluoro-D-alanine is known to inhibit this enzyme.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, 16 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and.