title: Molecular characterization of monoamine oxidases A and B.
abstract: Monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO A and B) are the major neurotransmitter-degrading enzymes in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues. MAO A and B cDNAs from human, rat, and bovine species have been cloned and their deduced amino acid sequences compared. Comparison of A and B forms of the enzyme shows approximately 70% sequence identity, whereas comparison of the A or B forms across species reveals a higher sequence identity of 87%. Within these sequences, several functional regions have been identified that contain crucial amino acid residues participating in flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or substrate binding. These include a dinucleotide-binding site, a second FAD-binding site, a fingerprint site, the FAD covalent-binding site, an active site, and the membrane-anchoring site. The specific residues that play a role in FAD or substrate binding were identified by comparing sequences in wild-type and variants of MAO with those in soluble flavoproteins of known structures. The genes that encode MAO A and B are closely aligned on the X chromosome (Xp11.23), and have identical exon-intron organization. Immunocytochemical localization studies of MAO A and B in primate brain showed distribution in distinct neurons with diverse physiological functions. A defective MAO A gene has been reported to associate with abnormal aggressive behavior. A deleterious role played by MAO B is the activation of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a proneurotoxin that can cause a parkinsonian syndrome in mammals. Deprenyl, an inhibitor of MAO B, has been used for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson's disease and provides protection of neurons from age-related decay.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin 78712, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Abell
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kwan
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D004247:DNA; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase