Description
This enzyme forms part of the peptidoglycan assembly pathway of Gram-positive bacteria grown in medium containing D-Asp. Normally, the side chains the acylate the 6-amino group of the L-lysine residue contain L-Ala-L-Ala but these amino acids are replaced by D-Asp when D-Asp is included in the medium. Hybrid chains containing L-Ala-D-Asp, L-Ala-L-Ala-D-Asp or D-Asp-L-Ala are not formed. The enzyme belongs in the ATP-grasp protein superfamily. The enzyme is highly specific for D-aspartate, as L-aspartate, D-glutamate, D-alanine, D-iso-asparagine and D-malic acid are not substrates. In Enterococcus faecium, the substrate D-aspartate is produced by EC 5.1.1.13, aspartate racemase