General description

3-Hydroxy-DL-kynurenine is a tryptophan metabolite with a molecular weight corresponding to 224Da. It is a chromophore or hydrophilic yellow compound present in the lens of the eye. 3-Hydroxy-DL-kynurenine is synthesized from kynurenine by the action of enzyme kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO). It is metabolized to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid and xanthurenic acid in the presence of enzymes kynureninase and kynurenine aminotransferases, respectively.

Application

3-Hydroxy-DL-kynurenine has been used:

as a substrate for the recombinant human kynureninase assay
as a reference standard in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis
as a control for quantifying serum 3-Hydroxy-DL-kynurenine levels in diabetic retinopathy patients

Biochem/physiol Actions

3-Hydroxy-DL-kynurenine (3-HKYN) has antioxidant functionality and prevents lipid peroxidation in cerebral cortex. It may modulate synaptic neurotransmission. The levels of 3-HKYN is elevated in Huntington′s disease. However, its role in neurodegenerative diseases is still not understood well. Kynurenine metabolism is linked with glutamatergic neurotransmission and the level of 3-HKYN is linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.