Inhibition of Human Serine Racemase, an Emerging Target for Medicinal Chemistry

Abstract

Proteins of glutamatergic NMDA receptor signaling pathways have been studied as targets for intervention in a variety of neuropathological conditions, including neurodegenerations, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, drug addiction, and schizophrenia. High activity NMDA-blocking agents have been designed to treat some of these disorders; however, their effect is often compromised by undesirable side effects.

Therefore, alternative ways of modulating NMDA receptor function need to be sought after.

Keywords

• amino acid analogs
• L-erythro-3-hydroxyaspartate (L-EHA)
• D-serine
• neurodegenerative diseases
• NMDA receptors
• pyridoxal-5´-phosphate (PLP)