title: Exploring the mechanism of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase.
abstract: The haem proteins TDO (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase) and IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) are specific and powerful oxidation catalysts that insert one molecule of dioxygen into L-tryptophan in the first and rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway. Recent crystallographic and biochemical analyses of TDO and IDO have greatly aided our understanding of the mechanisms employed by these enzymes in the binding and activation of dioxygen and tryptophan. In the present paper, we briefly discuss the function, structure and possible catalytic mechanism of these enzymes.
authors.affiliation: EastCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Thackray
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mowat
authors.forename: Stephen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D006801:Humans; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014366:Tryptophan Oxygenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase; D014366:Tryptophan Oxygenase