| Chemical Properties | Back Directory |
[Melting point ]
275 °C (dec.)(lit.) |
[Boiling point ]
324.41°C (rough estimate) |
[density ]
1.3175 (rough estimate) |
[refractive index ]
1.5400 (estimate) |
[storage temp. ]
Sealed in dry,Room Temperature |
[solubility ]
DMSO : 9 mg/mL (47.58 mM; Need ultrasonic and warming) |
[form ]
Off-white to tan powder. |
[pka]
1.08±0.30(Predicted) |
[color ]
White to Gray to Brown |
[Water Solubility ]
8.92g/L(100 ºC) |
[Merck ]
5327 |
[BRN ]
147451 |
[CAS DataBase Reference]
492-27-3(CAS DataBase Reference) |
[EPA Substance Registry System]
492-27-3(EPA Substance) |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory |
[Uses]
Kynurenic acid has been used as a constituent in dissection saline solution for embryonic cerebral cortical cells and human primary astrocytes. It has also been used as a medium supplement for murine intestinal epithelial cell line, MODE-K and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons cells. |
[Uses]
A product of L-Tryptophan metabolism, possessing neruoactive activity having antiexcitotoxic and anticonvulsant properties. |
[Uses]
An antagonist of NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors |
[Definition]
ChEBI: Kynurenic acid is a quinolinemonocarboxylic acid that is quinoline-2-carboxylic acid substituted by a hydroxy group at C-4. It has a role as a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist, a NMDA receptor antagonist, a nicotinic antagonist, a neuroprotective agent, a human metabolite and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite. It is a monohydroxyquinoline and a quinolinemonocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a kynurenate. |
[Biological Activity]
Broad spectrum EAA antagonist. |
[Biochem/physiol Actions]
Kynurenic acid (KynA) is a non-selective antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors. It blocks kainic acid neurotoxicity. Kynurenic acid also blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It is a by-product of tryptophan catabolic pathway. Kynurenic acid is a neuromodulator and controls the levels of glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine and α-aminobutyric acid (GABA). KynA controls neuroendocrine functions and altered levels of KynA is a potential marker in depression, schizophrenia Alzheimer′s and Huntington′s diseases. Normal levels of KynA in the brain is crucial for the cognitive function. |
[storage]
Room temperature |
[Purification Methods]
Crystallise the acid from absolute EtOH. The methyl ester crystallises from MeOH with m 224-226o. [Greenstein & Winitz The Chemistry of the Amino Acids J. Wiley, Vol 3 p2723 1961, Beilstein 22 II 174, 22 III/IV 2245, 22/6 V 280.] |