Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX), also known as ALDRL6, is a renal-specific member of the Aldo-keto reductase family. It catalyzes the first committed step in the Myo-inositol metabolism pathway and is widely distributed in mammalian tissues. Human Myo-inositol oxygenase shares 91% and 96% sequence homology with mouse and pig Myo-inositol oxygenase homologs, respectively. Myo-inositol oxygenase is responsible for the oxidative cleavage of Myo-inositol (MI) and its epimer D-chiro inositol (DCI) to D-glucuronate. The dioxygen-dependent cleavage of the C1-C6 bond in Myo-inositol is accomplished through the utilization of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) binuclear iron center of MIOX. Myo-inositol oxygenase has also been implicated in complications of diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy.
