title: Brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) B: a unique neurotoxin and neurotransmitter producing enzyme.
abstract: The notion that monoamine oxidase (MAO) functions solely to inactivate neurotransmitter and other biogenic amines needs to be re-evaluated. It is now apparent that MAO-B is capable of oxidizing inert non-polar amines such as MPTP (N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6, tetrahydropyridine) and milacemide (2-n-pentylaminoacetamide) into neuroactive substances giving rise to Parkinson inducing dopaminergic neurotoxin, MPP+ and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter, glycine respectively. These findings accord new prospectives for neuropsychotherapy with selective MAO-B inhibitors and substrates.
authors.affiliation: Rappaport Family Research Institute, Technion Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Youdim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase