Monoamine oxidase
Monoamine oxidase
Monoamine oxidase (pronunciation: /ˌmɒnoʊˈæmiːn ˈɒksɪdeɪz/), often abbreviated as MAO, is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters in the human body.
Etymology
The term "monoamine oxidase" is derived from the chemical reaction it catalyzes, which involves the oxidation of monoamines, a type of neurotransmitter. The term "monoamine" refers to a molecule containing one amine group, while "oxidase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes oxidation reactions.
Function
Monoamine oxidase is found in the outer membrane of mitochondria in most cell types in the body. It is involved in breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. By doing so, it helps regulate mood and behavior.
Types
There are two types of monoamine oxidase: MAO-A and MAO-B. Both types are found in neurons and astroglia. MAO-A preferentially deaminates serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. MAO-B preferentially deaminates phenylethylamine and certain other trace amines. In humans, MAO-A is also important in the metabolism of monoaminergic drugs, such as those used to treat depression and anxiety.
Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of one or both monoamine oxidase enzymes. They are used as antidepressants and in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Monoamine oxidase
- Wikipedia's article - Monoamine oxidase
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski