DERA catalyzes the reaction through a mechanism known as aldol cleavage. Initially, the lysine residue at the active site forms a Schiff base with the substrate. This intermediate then undergoes a series of steps that result in the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond, producing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and acetaldehyde. The enzyme's ability to stabilize the transition state is key to its catalytic efficiency.
