Kynureninase Proteins and Enzymes

Kynureninase (KYNU) catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of the amino acids L-kynurenine and L-3-hydroxykynurenine to give either anthranilic acid or 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid and alanine. KYNU degrades dietary tryptophan in the liver and is involved in the de novo biosynthesis of NAD⁺. In immune system cells, such as macrophages and microglia, KYNU catalyzes inflammatory quinolinic acid (QA) production, which may cause neuronal damage in AIDS-related dementia complex, Alzheimer's, stroke, epilepsy, and Huntington's disease.