Tryptophan Metabolism as a Pharmacological Target.

Morgane Modoux, Nathalie Rolhion, Sridhar Mani, Harry Sokol

Journal: Trends in pharmacological sciences 2021;42(1):60-73

PMID: 33256987

Free Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis. It undergoes an extensive and complex metabolism along several pathways, resulting in many bioactive molecules acting in various organs through different action mechanisms. Enzymes involved in its metabolism, metabolites themselves, or their receptors, represent potential therapeutic targets, which are the subject of dynamic research. Disruptions in L-tryptophan metabolism are reported in several neurological, metabolic, psychiatric, and intestinal disorders, paving the way to develop drugs to target it. This review will briefly describe L-tryptophan metabolism and present and discuss the most recent pharmacological developments targeting it.

Address: Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Saint Antoine Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, F-75012 Paris, France; Paris Centre for Microbiome Medicine FHU, Paris, France.; Molecular Pharmacology, Genetics and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Saint Antoine Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, F-75012 Paris, France; Paris Centre for Microbiome Medicine FHU, Paris, France; INRA, UMR1319 Micalis & AgroParisTech, Jouy en Josas, France. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.11.006