D-Amino Acids

Amino acids have two possible stereochemical configurations - D and L. L-Amino acids are the forms that are found in biological proteins. D-Amino acids are found in rare proteins, such as the bacterial cell wall polypeptides (Figure 9.26), where they are thought to protect against protease digestion.


See also: Amino Acids, D-Alanine, D-Glutamic Acid