May play a role in cell wall synthesis as L-alanine is an important constituent of the peptidoglycan layer. H2O + L-alanine + NAD(+) = H(+) + NADH + NH4(+) + pyruvate Amino-acid degradation; L-alanine degradation via dehydrogenase pathway; NH(3) and pyruvate from L-alanine: step 1/1. Belongs to the AlaDH/PNT family.