Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO)

Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) is a mitochondrial, NADPH-dependent flavin monooxygenase enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine (3-HK) in the kynurenine pathway, which is the primary route for tryptophan catabolism in eukaryotes. This reaction is a key branch point: it diverts kynurenine away from forming neuroprotective kynurenic acid and toward generating neurotoxic metabolites such as 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid. Overactivity or dysregulation leads to increased production of neurotoxins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancer.

Inhibition of KMO activity, shifting metabolism toward increased kynurenic acid production or altering tumor progression pathways.