This gene encodes a mitochondrion outer membrane protein that catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-tryptophan metabolite, L-kynurenine, to form L-3-hydroxykynurenine. Studies in yeast identified this gene as a therapeutic target for Huntington disease. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011].
Vamos, Pardutz, Klivenyi, Toldi, Vecsei: "The role of kynurenines in disorders of the central nervous system: possibilities for neuroprotection." in: Journal of the neurological sciences, Vol. 283, Issue 1-2, pp. 21-7, (2009) (PubMed).