Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Monoamine oxidase A, also known as MAO-A, is an enzyme (E.C. 1.4.3.4) that in humans is encoded by the MAOA gene. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] This gene is one of two neighboring gene family members that encode mitochondrial enzymes which catalyze the oxidative deamination of amines , such as dopamine , norepinephrine , and serotonin .
Monoamine oxidases (MAO) (EC 1.4.3.4) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of monoamines, employing oxygen to clip off their amine group. [1] [2] They are found bound to the outer membrane of mitochondria in most cell types of the body.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of one or both monoamine oxidase enzymes: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). They are best known as effective antidepressants , especially for treatment-resistant depression and atypical depression . [ 1 ]
After release into the synaptic cleft, monoamine neurotransmitter action is ended by reuptake into the presynaptic terminal. There, they can be repackaged into synaptic vesicles or degraded by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), which is a target of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a class of antidepressants. [citation needed]
In terms of pharmacodynamics, selegiline acts as a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. [13] [7] [19] [2] It is a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) at lower doses but additionally inhibits monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) at higher doses.
In vertebrates, MAO plays an important role in regulating the intracellular levels of amines via their oxidation; these include various neurotransmitters, neurotoxins and trace amines. [3] In lower eukaryotes such as aspergillus and in bacteria the main role of amine oxidases is to provide a source of ammonium. [ 4 ]
Brunner syndrome is caused by a monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) deficiency, which leads to an excess of monoamines in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). In both mice and humans, a mutation was located on the eighth exon of the MAO-A gene, which created a dysfunctional MAO-A gene.
Tranylcypromine, sold under the brand name Parnate among others, [1] is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). [4] [7] More specifically, tranylcypromine acts as nonselective and irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO).