1-Methyltryptophan is a chemical compound that is an inhibitor of the tryptophan catabolic enzyme

indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO ) is a heme-containing enzyme physiologically expressed in a number of tissues and cells, such as the small intestine, lungs, female genital tract or placenta. In humans is encoded by the ''IDO1' ...

(IDO or INDO ). It is a

chiral Chirality is a property of asymmetry important in several branches of science. The word ''chirality'' is derived from the Greek (''kheir''), "hand", a familiar chiral object. An object or a system is ''chiral'' if it is distinguishable from i ...

compound that can exist as both - and - enantiomers. 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 The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), also referred to as the mechanistic target of rapamycin, and sometimes called FK506-binding protein 12-rapamycin-associated protein 1 (FRAP1), is a kinase that in humans is encoded by the ''MTOR'' gene. ...

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.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