Physicochemical Characterization of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites.

ABSTRACT: The kynurenine pathway is a significant metabolic route involved in the catabolism of tryptophan, producing various bioactive metabolites with crucial roles as antioxidants in immune regulation and neurobiology. This study investigates the acid-base properties of picolinic acid, kynurenic acid, kynurenine, and 3-hydroxykynurenine, utilizing computational simulations and experimental techniques, including potentiometric and nuclear magnetic resonance titrations. The results reveal distinct pK_a values, with kynurenic acid exhibiting a single dissociation step around 2.4, while kynurenine displays three dissociation steps governed by interactions between its functional groups. Additionally, 3-hydroxykynurenine shows overlapping dissociations in two separate pH regions, sugge

SUBMITTER: Buzasy L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12108296 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature