Kynurenine (2922-83-0) is a tryptophan catabolite.1?Endogenous tumor-promoting ligand of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Constitutively generated by human tumor cells via the action of the tryptophan degrading enzyme, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Kynurenine suppresses antitumor immune responses and promotes tumor cell survival and motility.2
L-Kynurenine has been used as a standard for indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) assay. It has also been used as a standard to extract and quantify kynurenine from cultured cells and media.
ChEBI: A kynurenine that has L configuration.
Key intermediate in the breakdown pathway of tryptophan.
References/Citations
1) Ibana?et al. (2011),?Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity by levo-1-methyl tryptophan blocks gamma interferon-induced Chlaydia trachomatis persistence in human epithelial cells; Infect. Immun.,?79?4425
2) Opitz?et al. (2011),?An endogenous tumour-promoting ligand of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor; Nature,?478?197
