Monoamine oxidase B

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is an enzyme that is part of the monoamine oxidase family. It is encoded by the MAOB gene in humans.

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of Monoamine oxidase B is /ˌmɒnoʊˈæmiːn ˈɒksɪdeɪs biː/.

Etymology

The term "Monoamine oxidase B" is derived from its function. "Monoamine" refers to the type of neurotransmitters it acts upon, "oxidase" refers to its function of oxidation, and "B" differentiates it from its counterpart, Monoamine oxidase A.

Function

Monoamine oxidase B is found in the mitochondria of most cell types in the body. It is involved in the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. It is also involved in the metabolism of various other monoaminergic substances, including certain toxins and drugs.

Related Terms

• Monoamine oxidase A
• Neurotransmitter
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine
• Serotonin
• Mitochondria
• MAOB (gene)

See Also

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• Parkinson's disease

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.