UV Resonance Raman Characterization of a Substrate Bound to Human Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (Biophysical Journal)

Human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO) is a heme enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction of the main metabolic pathway of L-tryptophan (Trp) to produce N-formylkynurenin. The reaction involves cleavage of the C2=C3 bond in the Trp indole ring and insertion of two atomic oxygens from the iron-bound O2 into the indole 2 and 3 position. For establishment of the chemical mechanism of this unique enzymatic reaction, it is necessary to determine the conformation and electronic state of the substrate Trp bound to IDO.