InterPro domain: IPR003817

Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of phospholipid by the mitochondria. The substrate phosphatidylserine is synthesized extramitochondrially and must be translocated to the mitochondria prior to decarboxylation [ 1 ]. Phosphatidylserine decarboxylases 4.1.1.65 is responsible for conversion of phosphatidylserine to phosphatidylethanolamine and plays a central role in the biosynthesis of aminophospholipids [ 2 ].

This family also includes L-tryptophan decarboxylase from the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, which is required for the biosynthesis of the psychotropic agent psilocybin. This enzyme catalyses the first step in the biosynthetic pathway, converting L-tryptophan to tryptamine [ 3 ].

1. Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Isolation of mutants, cloning of the gene, and creation of a null allele. J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21416-24
2. Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase 2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cloning and mapping of the gene, heterologous expression, and creation of the null allele. J. Biol. Chem. 270, 6071-80
3. Enzymatic Synthesis of Psilocybin. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 56, 12352-12355