alpha-methyltryptophan

Alpha-methyltryptophan is a synthetic tryptophan derivative that acts as a selective blocker of the amino acid transporter SLC6A14 (ATB0,+) and an inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). By blocking SLC6A14, alpha-methyltryptophan induces amino acid starvation, leading to decreased mTOR signaling, autophagy, and apoptosis in SLC6A14-positive cancer cells, such as estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and colon cancer. Additionally, alpha-methyltryptophan has been shown to function as an effective weight-loss agent in animal models of obesity and metabolic syndrome. In its radiolabeled form, carbon C 11 alpha-methyltryptophan ([11C]AMT), it is utilized as a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracer to assess serotonin synthesis and monitor brain tumors, neuroendocrine neoplasms, and melanoma.

Other names

11C-AMT11C-alpha-methyltryptophanALTAMTAMTPalpha-methyl-DL-tryptophanalpha-methyl-L-tryptophanalpha-methyl-tryptophancarbon C 11 alpha-methyltryptophanα-MLTα-MTPα-methyl-DL-tryptophanα-methyl-L-tryptophanα-methyltryptophanαMTP