This invention provides identification and characterization of racemases
and definition of protein signatures of these racemases. This invention
also provides identification of nucleic acid molecules encoding a peptide
consisting of a motif characteristic of the protein signatures, and to
the peptides consisting of these motifs. Antibodies specific for the
peptides and to immune complexes of these antibodies with the peptides
are also provided. Further, the invention relates to methods and kits for
detecting racemases using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, as
well as the peptides consisting of the motifs and antibodies to these
peptides.