Kynurenic acid

Kynurenic acid is an endogenous metabolite produced from the amino acid L-tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway. It is a neuroactive compound with multiple biological actions, including functioning as a noncompetitive antagonist at ionotropic glutamate receptors (such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA), and kainate receptor), an antagonist at the glycine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, and an antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (though this latter effect has been debated). Additionally, kynurenic acid acts as an agonist for G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) and hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor 3 (HCAR3), and it can activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Its neuroprotective properties have led to investigation in neurological and psychiatric disorders, inflammatory diseases, and cell protection contexts. Kynurenic acid is currently considered investigational for therapeutic use[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

KYNAKYN