|   | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name 3-(5-Oxo-1,4-dihydroimidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid | |
| Identifiers | |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider | |
| MeSH | Imidazol-4-one-5-propionic+acid | 
|  PubChem CID | |
|  CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| 
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| 
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| Properties | |
| C6H8N2O3 | |
| Molar mass | 156.139 | 
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Imidazol-4-one-5-propionic acid is an intermediate in the metabolism of histidine. It is a colorless compound that is sensitive to light in air. The compound features an imidazolone ring. [1]
It arises via the action of urocanase on urocanic acid. Hydrolysis of the heterocycle to the glutamic acid derivative is catalyzed by imidazolonepropionate hydrolase.
Microbial production of imidazol-4-one-5-propionic acid in the human gut has been shown to affect insulin signaling, which is relevant to type II diabetes. [2]
Imidazole propionate has been causally implicated in atherosclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, primarily by triggering inflammation. Streptococcus mutans, known for its role in dental caries, has been identified as a contributor to elevated ImP levels through the urdA gene, which is involved in the conversion of urocanate to ImP. [3] [4]