Definition
Monoamine oxidase (amine:oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating); EC 1.4.3.4; MAO) exists in two forms, named type A and type B. They are responsible for oxidative deamination of primary, secondary, and some tertiary amines, including the neurotransmitters, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin (5-hydroxytryotamine; 5-HT), the hormone adrenaline, and trace amines, such as tyramine, tryptamine, and 2-phenylethylamine. Their nonselective and selective inhibitors are employed for the treatment of depressive illness and Parkinson’s disease.
Reaction Mechanism of Monoamine Oxidase
The role of monoamine oxidase in terminating the action of the aminergic neurotransmitters and dietary amines has been extensively studied; less attention has been paid to the functions of the products formed in the MAO reactions that include aldehyde and acidic metabolites.
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Youdim, M.B.H., Tipton, K.F. (2020). Monoamine Oxidases and Their Inhibitors. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21573-6_191-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21573-6_191-1
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