How is D-serine metabolised in mammals?

D-Serine plays a crucial physiological role in the functional regulation of the mammalian brain. It is synthesised from L-serine by serine racemase and degraded by D-amino acid oxidase. Recent studies have shown that D-Serine can also be metabolised via serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) in bacteria and mammals. It is known that SHMT can catalyse L-serine and tetrahydrofolate (THF) to convert into glycine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, respectively. SHMT in humans and Escherichia coli has D-serine dehydratase activity, which can degrade D-serine into pyruvate and ammonia.

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