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Lactate racemase
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<p>The lactate racemase <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzyme</a> (Lar) (<a href="/facts/Enzyme_Commission_number/Y5GNLRKX">EC</a> <a href="https://www.enzyme-database.org/query.php?ec=5.1.2.1">5.1.2.1</a>) interconverts the D- and L-enantiomers of lactic acid. It is classified under the <a href="/facts/Isomerase/DtUWnvle">isomerase</a>, <a href="/facts/Racemase/ylPHcKep">racemase</a>, <a href="/facts/Epimerase/ylPHcKep">epimerase</a>, and enzyme acting on <a href="/facts/Hydroxyl/1Hs2QAEv">hydroxyl</a> acids and derivatives classes of enzymes. It is found in certain <a href="/facts/Halophile/UKBTAPls">halophilic</a> archaea, such as <i>Haloarcula marismortui</i>, and in a few species of <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a>, such as several <i><a href="/facts/Lactobacillus/pwoacAbe">Lactobacillus</a></i> species (which produce D- and L-<a href="/facts/Lactic_acid/BsVRFx7s">lactate</a>) including <i>Lactobacillus sakei</i>, <i>Lactobacillus curvatus</i>, and <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>, as well as in non-lactic acid bacteria such as <i>Clostridium beijerinckii</i>. The gene encoding lactate racemase in <i>L. plantarum</i> was identified as <i>larA</i> and shown to be associated with a widespread maturation system involving <i>larB</i>, <i>larC1</i>, <i>larC2</i>, and <i>larE</i>. The optimal <a href="/facts/PH/RnSv8D7y">pH</a> for its activity is 5.8-6.2 in <i>L. sakei</i>. </p>