D-serine acts as a neuronal signaling molecule by activating NMDA receptors in the brain.

Since NMDA receptors Dysfunction has been suggested as one of the promising hypotheses for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, it has been shown that underexpression of this enzyme is an indicator, especially for the paranoid subtype.

The canonical tetraglycine loop that serves as a PLP phosphate binding pocket includes the active residues being F55, K56, G185, G186, G187, G188, and S313.

[8] The enzyme is physiologically stimulated by divalent cations (e.g., magnesium) and is allosterically activated by the magnesium/ATP complex, associated with a conformational change upon nucleotide binding that depends upon interactions with Q89.

The canonical coordination sphere of the divalent cation interaction site includes the active residues E210 and D216 within 2.1 angstroms of the ion.