title: Kynurenine hydroxylase mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: The relation of intestinal autofluorescence to tryptophan catabolism in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been investigated. L-Kynurenine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.9) activity has been detected in normal (wild-type) individuals. Mutants in the gene flu-1 which are characterized by an altered autofluorescence of the intestine cells, i.e., more intense than wild type and bluish purple instead of light blue have also been examined. They show a markedly reduced activity of kynurenine hydroxylase. The finding supports the previously proposed model for altered fluorescence based on chromatographic identification of tryptophan catabolites present.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D050601:Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D009243:NAD / Q000494:pharmacology; D009249:NADP / Q000494:pharmacology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D009243:NAD; D009249:NADP; D014364:Tryptophan; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D050601:Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase