Strict reaction and substrate specificity of AGXT2L1, the humanO-phosphoethanolamine phospho-lyase

Dysregulated expression of the AGXT2L1 gene has been associated to neuropsychiatric disorders. Recently the gene product was shown to possess O ‐phosphoethanolamine phospho‐lyase activity. We here analyze the specificity of AGXT2L1 in terms of both reaction and substrate. We show that the enzyme, despite having evolved from a transaminase ancestor, is at least 500‐fold more active as a lyase than as an aminotransferase. Furthermore, the lyase...