Human Interleukin 4 Induced Protein 1,IL4I1 ELI

Secreted L-amino-acid oxidase that acts as a key immunoregulator (PubMed:17356132, PubMed:32818467, PubMed:32866000).

Has preference for L-aromatic amino acids: converts phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) to phenylpyruvic acid (PP), hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (HPP), and indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P), respectively (PubMed:17356132, PubMed:32818467, PubMed:32866000).

Also has weak L-arginine oxidase activity (PubMed:26673964).

Acts as a negative regulator of anti-tumor immunity by mediating Trp degradation via an indole pyruvate pathway that activates the transcription factor AHR (PubMed:32818467, PubMed:32866000).

IL4I1-mediated Trp catabolism generates I3P, giving rise to indole metabolites (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-aldehyde (I3A)) and kynurenic acid, which act as ligands for AHR, a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays important roles in immunity and cancer (PubMed:32818467, PubMed:32866000).

AHR activation by indoles following IL4I1-mediated Trp degradation enhances tumor progression by promoting cancer cell motility and suppressing adaptive immunity (PubMed:32818467).

Also has an immunoregulatory function in some immune cells, probably by mediating Trp degradation and promoting downstream AHR activation: inhibits T-cell activation and proliferation, promotes the differentiation of naive CD4(+) T-cells into FOXP3(+) regulatory T-cells (Treg) and regulates the development and function of B-cells (PubMed:17356132, PubMed:25446972, PubMed:25778793, PubMed:28891065).

Also regulates M2 macrophage polarization by inhibiting T-cell activation (By similarity).

Also has antibacterial properties by inhibiting growth of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria through the production of NH4(+) and H2O2 (PubMed:23355881).

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