2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Distribution and function of D-amino acid and amino acid racemase in animals
| Project/Area Number |
24770068
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Research Field |
Animal physiology/Animal behavior
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| Research Institution | Kochi University |
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Principal Investigator |
Uda Kouji 高知大学, 自然科学系, 講師 (10448392)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
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| Keywords | D-アミノ酸 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Free D-amino acids are widely distributed in living organisms, from bacteria to mammals, and play a key role in specific physiological functions. In invertebrates, D-Ser, D-Asp, D-Ala and D-Arg have been found in various phyla species, and play important physiological roles. In contrast to the wide distribution of D-amino acids, amino acid racemase genes have been identified in few invertebrate species. We searched the nucleotide, EST, and SRA databases, and found 11 serine racemase homologous genes from eight invertebrate phyla species. The cloned genes were identified based on their maximum activity as serine racemase (SerR) and aspartate racemase (AspR). Our results revealed that SerR and AspR are more widely distributed among invertebrates than previously thought.
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| Free Research Field |
比較生化学
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