Description
Overview: Catalyzes the first and rate limiting step of the catabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway (PubMed:17671174). Involved in immune regulation. May not play a significant role in tryptophan-related tumoral resistance.
Structure: Belongs to the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase family.
Expression: Detected in liver, small intestine, spleen, placenta, thymus, lung, brain, kidney, and colon (PubMed:17671174). Also expressed at low level in testis and thyroid. Not expressed in the majority of human tumor samples (>99%)