1-Methyltryptophan is a chemical compound that is an

inhibitor Inhibitor or inhibition may refer to: In biology * Enzyme inhibitor, a substance that binds to an enzyme and decreases the enzyme's activity * Reuptake inhibitor, a substance that increases neurotransmission by blocking the reuptake of a neurotra ...

of the tryptophan catabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO ). It is a chiral compound that can exist as both - and -

enantiomer In chemistry, an enantiomer ( /ɪˈnænti.əmər, ɛ-, -oʊ-/ ''ih-NAN-tee-ə-mər''; from Ancient Greek ἐνάντιος ''(enántios)'' 'opposite', and μέρος ''(méros)'' 'part') – also called optical isomer, antipode, or optical ant ...

s. The -isomer (-1MT) inhibits IDO weakly but also serves as an enzyme substrate. The -isomer (-1MT) does not inhibit IDO at all, but it can inhibit the IDO-related enzyme

IDO2 Ido () is a constructed language derived from Reformed Esperanto, and similarly designed with the goal of being a universal second language for people of diverse backgrounds. To function as an effective ''international auxiliary language'', ...

and restore mTOR signaling in cells starved of tryptophan due to IDO activity. -1MT is also known as indoximod and is currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment, such as for advanced

melanoma Melanoma, also redundantly known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas typically occur in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye ( ...

.IDO Inhibitors Emerging as New Players on Checkpoint Blockade Scene. Aug 2017
/ref> A U.S. patent covering salt and prodrug formulations of indoximod was issued to NewLink Genetics on August 15, 2017 providing exclusivity until at least 2036.

References

Oxidoreductase inhibitors Tryptamines Amino acids {{heterocyclic-stub