KAT II Inhibitors

KAT II inhibitors, also known as Kynurenine aminotransferase II inhibitors, belong to a specific class of compounds that target enzymes involved in the kynurenine pathway, a critical metabolic route for tryptophan degradation. The kynurenine pathway plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of tryptophan, an essential amino acid, and its dysregulation has been implicated in various neurological and inflammatory disorders. KAT II, one of the key enzymes in this pathway, catalyzes the conversion of kynurenine to kynurenic acid, a metabolite that can modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission.The chemical structure of KAT II inhibitors is characterized by their ability to selectively bind and inhibit the activity of the Kynurenine aminotransferase II enzyme. These compounds typically feature specific functional groups and molecular motifs that interact with the active site of KAT II, disrupting its catalytic function. By modulating the enzymatic activity of KAT II, these inhibitors have the potential to influence the balance of metabolites in the kynurenine pathway, leading to downstream effects on neurotransmitter systems and cellular processes.