Investigation of a correlation between monoamine oxidase B and catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in human blood cells.
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are pivotal enzymes in the catabolism of several neurotransmitters. MAO-B and COMT activity can be reliably measured in human platelets and erythrocytes, respectively. This study investigated whether a correlation exists between the activity of the two enzymes in a panel of 47 elderly subjects (age range 55-80 years). No correlation was apparent between the two activities (r(2)<0.01), which suggests that, genetically, they are determined independently. COMT activity in a panel of 163 subjects showed a bimodal distribution with a nadir at approximately 38 pmol/h/mg Hb.
Dingemanse
J
J
Jacor Research, Buchenstrasse 2, 4103, Bottmingen, Switzerland.
Zürcher
G
G
Kettler
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase