Kynurensäure: the pathway in the body · Biomarker & Laboratory Analysis

Kynurensäure is part of the pathway “Kynurenine pathway”. This page shows the whole pathway; the station of Kynurensäure is highlighted.

Where this laboratory value sits: Kynurenic acid — side product. Kynurenine aminotransferases (KAT) convert kynurenine to kynurenic acid; they work with vitamin B6. Kynurenic acid binds to glutamate receptors and is excreted in the urine. At the NMDA receptor it acts opposite to quinolinic acid. Source 5, 1

In brief

The kynurenine pathway is the main breakdown route of the amino acid tryptophan and includes kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid. Immune messengers drive its first step; at its end stands NAD⁺, which cells also build from niacin (vitamin B3).

The pathway step by step

Each station states what the compound does there. Three signs: ↑ supplies — builds up or makes available · ↓ depletes — inhibits, consumes or withholds · ↕ both, depending on amount. Behind it stands what the statement rests on: established physiology, observed in studies, or contested. The signs do not grade; they name the direction.

1. Tryptophan → Kynurenine IDO, TDO · Haem (iron), Oxygen The enzymes IDO and TDO open the ring of tryptophan; kynurenine forms via a short-lived intermediate. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio describes how active this step currently is. In immune cells, kynurenine binds the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Source 1, 2, 8↕ both, depending on amount IDO belongs to immune defence: the cell consumes tryptophan and withholds it from pathogens and from T cells that depend on it. Through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, kynurenine damps the immune cell further. The same brake spares tissue and weakens defence. established physiology Source 7, 2
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — When IDO runs harder, the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio rises. More kynurenine then binds the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in immune cells, and the cell damps its own response.

   too little — When IDO stays quiet, mainly hepatic TDO breaks tryptophan down to kynurenine; more is left for protein building and serotonin. Pathogens and T cells that depend on it then find more of it.

   established physiology · Source 7, 2

   Field of research — The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio is studied in inflammation and in disorders of the nervous system. Source 9, 8

2. Kynurenine → 3-Hydroxykynurenine KMO · FAD, NADPH Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) attaches an OH group to kynurenine. The enzyme sits in the outer membrane of the mitochondria and works with FAD and NADPH. In cell culture it forms radicals with iron and copper. Source 3, 1↕ both, depending on amount 3-Hydroxykynurenine is a transit compound and an oxidant in one: it can release electrons and form oxygen radicals in doing so. In cell culture, accumulation leads to cell death. How much accumulates depends on the pace of kynureninase. observed in studies Source 3, 1
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — When KMO runs faster than the kynureninase after it, 3-hydroxykynurenine backs up — the compound that releases electrons and forms radicals with iron and copper. In cell culture, accumulation leads to cell death.

   too little — When this step lags, more kynurenine goes to kynurenic acid, which damps at the receptor instead of exciting it.

   observed in studies · Source 3, 1

   Field of research — The build-up of this compound is studied in disorders of the nervous system. Source 9, 3

3. 3-Hydroxykynurenine → 3-OH-anthranilic acid Kynureninase · Vitamin B6 (PLP) Kynureninase cleaves the side chain from 3-hydroxykynurenine, forming 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid. This enzyme also works with pyridoxal phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6. If little vitamin B6 is available, the steps before it back up. Source 1↕ both, depending on amount This compound releases electrons and forms radicals with iron and copper; in cell culture it shows both sides, depending on its surroundings. Its turnover hangs on vitamin B6 — when little is around, earlier stages back up and more goes into the side routes. observed in studies Source 1
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — When this compound backs up, it too forms radicals with iron and copper; in cell culture it shows both sides, depending on its surroundings.

   too little — When little vitamin B6 is around, kynureninase cannot keep up. More material then diverts into xanthurenic acid, which the body excretes.

   observed in studies · Source 1

4. 3-OH-anthranilic acid → Quinolinic acid 3-HAO · Iron An iron-containing enzyme opens the ring; the intermediate ACMS rearranges spontaneously into quinolinic acid. In the nervous system, quinolinic acid binds to NMDA receptors. At the receptor it has an excitatory action. Source 1↕ both, depending on amount As a building block, quinolinic acid is the way forward: QPRT converts it to NAD⁺. At the NMDA receptor it acts excitatory and lets calcium in; if the channel stays open too long, this burdens the nerve cell. Which side prevails depends on the pace of QPRT. observed in studies Source 1
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — When quinolinic acid backs up, more of it stays at the NMDA receptor. In cell culture and animal models this holds the calcium channel open longer than the cell buffers the load.

   too little — When little arrives, NAD⁺ has to come from niacin; the long route from tryptophan then contributes little.

   observed in studies · Source 1

   Field of research — Its action at the NMDA receptor is studied in disorders of the nervous system. Source 9, 1

5. Quinolinic acid → NAD⁺ QPRT · PRPP Both routes end here: QPRT converts quinolinic acid to NAD⁺ over two steps, while NAPRT and NAMPT convert nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Tryptophan thus supplies NAD⁺ alongside the shorter route from niacin (vitamin B3). Many enzymes use it up constantly. Source 4, 1, 6↑ supplies NAD⁺ accepts hydrogen and passes it on; without this carrier, glycolysis, the citrate cycle and fatty acid breakdown do not run. NAD⁺ is also consumed: sirtuins, PARP and CD38 cleave it. Energy production and DNA repair share the same pool. established physiology Source 4, 6
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — The pool does not pile up: the cell makes NAD⁺ as needed, and sirtuins, PARP and CD38 consume it continuously. What rises is turnover, not a heap.

   too little — When the pool falls, energy production and DNA repair reach for the same molecules — both draw from one pot.

   established physiology · Source 4, 6

6. Niacin (vitamin B3) → NAD⁺ NAPRT, NAMPT · PRPP Both routes end here: QPRT converts quinolinic acid to NAD⁺ over two steps, while NAPRT and NAMPT convert nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Tryptophan thus supplies NAD⁺ alongside the shorter route from niacin (vitamin B3). Many enzymes use it up constantly. Source 4, 1, 6↑ supplies NAD⁺ accepts hydrogen and passes it on; without this carrier, glycolysis, the citrate cycle and fatty acid breakdown do not run. NAD⁺ is also consumed: sirtuins, PARP and CD38 cleave it. Energy production and DNA repair share the same pool. established physiology Source 4, 6
   ⚖ When the balance tips

   too much — The pool does not pile up: the cell makes NAD⁺ as needed, and sirtuins, PARP and CD38 consume it continuously. What rises is turnover, not a heap.

   too little — When the pool falls, energy production and DNA repair reach for the same molecules — both draw from one pot.

   established physiology · Source 4, 6

Further stations

• Tryptophan — amino acid from food Tryptophan is an amino acid the body cannot make itself. Some is built into proteins and a small part is converted to serotonin; the largest part enters the kynurenine pathway. The routes share one pool. Source 1↑ supplies Tryptophan feeds several routes at once: protein building, serotonin, this pathway and – via gut bacteria – the indoles. All draw on the same pool — if one is used more, less is left for the others. A change in one route therefore acts back on the others. established physiology Source 1
  ⚖ When the balance tips

  too much — More tryptophan in the blood does not mean more serotonin: at the blood-brain barrier it shares its transporter with other large amino acids, and the hydroxylase is the slowest step. The surplus runs into the kynurenine pathway.

  too little — When little tryptophan arrives, all routes share the same smaller pool. Protein building comes first; the metabolic routes get what is left.

  established physiology · Source 1

• Kynurenic acid — side product Kynurenine aminotransferases (KAT) convert kynurenine to kynurenic acid; they work with vitamin B6. Kynurenic acid binds to glutamate receptors and is excreted in the urine. At the NMDA receptor it acts opposite to quinolinic acid. Source 5, 1↕ both, depending on amount Kynurenic acid occupies binding sites for glutamate and damps excitation there — at the NMDA receptor it thus acts opposite to quinolinic acid. The same damping that curbs over-excitation also lowers ordinary signal transmission. observed in studies Source 5, 1
  ⚖ When the balance tips

  too much — More kynurenic acid occupies more binding sites for glutamate. The same damping that curbs over-excitation also lowers ordinary signal transmission.

  too little — When the KAT enzymes run slower — for instance when little vitamin B6 is around — the counterpart to quinolinic acid at the same receptor is missing.

  observed in studies · Source 5, 1

  Field of research — The ratio of kynurenic acid to quinolinic acid is studied in disorders of the nervous system. Source 9, 5

• Xanthurenic acid — from 3-hydroxykynurenine The same KAT enzymes also convert 3-hydroxykynurenine; this produces xanthurenic acid, which is excreted in the urine. This branch removes material from the pathway. Source 5, 1↓ depletes This branch carries material out of the pathway: xanthurenic acid is lost in the urine instead of being passed on to NAD⁺. It is used more when little vitamin B6 is around — kynureninase gives up the cofactor earlier than the KAT enzymes do. established physiology Source 5, 1
  ⚖ When the balance tips

  too much — When the amount rises, the route before it is stalling: kynureninase gives up its cofactor vitamin B6 earlier than the KAT enzymes do, and 3-hydroxykynurenine diverts into this branch.

  too little — Little xanthurenic acid means the main route is running through and hardly any material diverts sideways.

  established physiology · Source 5, 1

• Picolinic acid — branch via ACMS Part of the intermediate ACMS is converted by the enzyme ACMSD into picolinic acid instead of rearranging into quinolinic acid. How much follows this branch depends on the amount of this enzyme in the tissue. What branches off here adds no NAD⁺. Source 1↓ depletes This branch removes material from the main route: what ACMSD converts to picolinic acid never reaches quinolinic acid and contributes no NAD⁺. Picolinic acid binds metals such as zinc and iron and is excreted in the urine. established physiology Source 1
  ⚖ When the balance tips

  too much — The more ACMSD converts, the less ACMS rearranges into quinolinic acid — the branch takes material from the main route before NAD⁺ forms.

  too little — When ACMSD works little, almost all ACMS rearranges into quinolinic acid by itself, and the main route carries the whole throughput.

  established physiology · Source 1

• Niacin (vitamin B3) — nicotinic acid, nicotinamide Niacin is the collective name for nicotinic acid and nicotinamide from food. NAPRT converts nicotinic acid and NAMPT converts nicotinamide; both routes reach the same intermediates as the tryptophan route and end at NAD⁺. Niacin spares the long route. Source 6, 4↑ supplies Niacin saves the body the long route: once absorbed from food, it reaches NAD⁺ in a few steps, while the route from tryptophan runs over many stages. The more niacin arrives, the less NAD⁺ has to be made from tryptophan. established physiology Source 6, 4
  ⚖ When the balance tips

  too much — When plenty of niacin arrives from food, the short route covers the need for NAD⁺, and the long route from tryptophan matters less.

  too little — When little arrives, NAD⁺ hangs more on tryptophan — and thereby on every step before it, including the cofactors iron and vitamin B6.

  established physiology · Source 6, 4

Cofactors in this pathway

• Vitamin B6 — As pyridoxal phosphate, cofactor of kynureninase and the kynurenine aminotransferases; with little PLP, steps back up Source 1, 5In the ORY catalogue as a laboratory value: Vitamin B6
• Iron — Haem iron in IDO and TDO; another iron enzyme opens the ring of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid; without it the pathway stalls Source 2, 1In the ORY catalogue as a laboratory value: Eisen
• Niacin (vitamin B3) — Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are precursors from which cells build NAD⁺ even without this route; the shorter route Source 6
• Vitamin B2 (FAD) — As FAD, cofactor of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO); without FAD, KMO adds no OH group Source 3
• NADPH — Supplies KMO with the electrons for adding the OH group; it is used up in the process Source 3
• PRPP — Supplies QPRT with the sugar-phosphate part on the way to NAD⁺; without PRPP, quinolinic acid yields no NAD⁺ Source 4

What acts on this pathway

• Inflammatory signals — Interferon-γ from immune cells, TNF and bacterial LPS make macrophages, dendritic cells and vessel-wall cells read the IDO gene more strongly. More tryptophan then enters this route, and the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio rises. Source 7, 2
• Cortisol — In the liver the related enzyme TDO carries out the first step. Cortisol and related glucocorticoids make the liver cell form more TDO; more tryptophan then runs along the kynurenine pathway there. Source 1
• Inflammation at KMO — The same signals — interferon-γ, TNF and bacterial LPS — also make immune cells build more KMO. More kynurenine then goes towards 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid, and less into kynurenic acid. Source 7, 3

Sources

1. Badawy AA. Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism: Regulatory and Functional Aspects. Int J Tryptophan Res 2017 · PubMed 28469468
2. King NJ, Thomas SR. Molecules in focus: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2007 · PubMed 17320464
3. Smith JR, Jamie JF, Guillemin GJ. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase: a review of structure, mechanism, and inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2016 · PubMed 26589832
4. Magni G, Amici A, Emanuelli M et al. Enzymology of NAD+ synthesis. Adv Enzymol Relat Areas Mol Biol 1999 · PubMed 10218108
5. Rossi F, Miggiano R, Ferraris DM et al. The Synthesis of Kynurenic Acid in Mammals: An Updated Kynurenine Aminotransferase Structural KATalogue. Front Mol Biosci 2019 · PubMed 30873412
6. Bogan KL, Brenner C. Nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside: a molecular evaluation of NAD+ precursor vitamins in human nutrition. Annu Rev Nutr 2008 · PubMed 18429699
7. Munn DH, Mellor AL. Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase and metabolic control of immune responses. Trends Immunol 2013 · PubMed 23103127
8. Cervenka I, Agudelo LZ, Ruas JL. Kynurenines: Tryptophan's metabolites in exercise, inflammation, and mental health. Science 2017 · PubMed 28751584
9. Schwarcz R, Bruno JP, Muchowski PJ, Wu HQ. Kynurenines in the mammalian brain: when physiology meets pathology. Nat Rev Neurosci 2012 · PubMed 22678511

Whole pathway: Kynurenine pathway

Related pathways

• NAD⁺ — tryptophan
• Protein fermentation in the colon — tryptophan
• Serotonin and melatonin — tryptophan
• Carnitine — Vitamin B6, Eisen
• Dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline — Vitamin B6, Eisen

As of 2026-10-02. Draft written by Claude to schema v2; sources checked in PubMed; expert review pending. Extended on 1 October 2026 with the inflammation axis (IDO) and the route via niacin (vitamin B3). Extended on 02.10.2026 with per-station effect sentences, each with a direction and a level of evidence. Extended the same day with per-station statements on what follows when a step runs too strongly or too weakly.
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