(R)-Serine, an endogenous amino acid involved in glia-synapse interactions that has unique neurotransmitter characteristics, is a potent co-agonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor. (R)-Serine has a cardinal modulatory role in major NMDAR-dependent processes including NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission, neurotoxicity, synaptic plasticity, and cell migration[1][2].
(R)-Serine is synthesized from L-Ser by serine racemase (SR) and degraded by D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) and SR. Distribution of D-Ser and NMDAR as determined by chemical measurement and immunohistochemistry supports D-Ser as an endogenous coagonist acting on the glycine modulatory site of the NR1 subunits of the NMDAR[3].
(R)-Serine (10 g/L; p.o.; throughout 8 weeks) regulates HFD induced weight gain[4].
References:
[1]. Andrea R. Durrant, et al. D-Serine in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: New Advances.
[2]. MacKay MB, et al. D-Serine: Potential Therapeutic Agent and/or Biomarker in Schizophrenia and Depression Front Psychiatry. 2019 Feb 6;10:25.
[3]. Dai X, et al. D-Serine made by serine racemase in Drosophila intestine plays a physiological role in sleep. Nat Commun. 2019 May 7;10(1):1986.
[4]. Suwandhi L, et al. Chronic d-serine supplementation impairs insulin secretion. Mol Metab. 2018 Oct;16:191-202.