It is a colorless compound that is sensitive to light in air.

[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.

This article about a heterocyclic compound is a stub.