Description
Amine oxidases (AO) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of biogenic amines including many neurotransmitters, histamine and xenobiotic amines. There are two classes of amine oxidases: flavin-containing (EC 1.4.3.4) and copper-containing (EC 1.4.3.6). Copper-containing AO act as a disulphide-linked homodimer. They catalyse the oxidation of primary amines to aldehydes, with the subsequent release of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which requires one copper ion per subunit and topaquinone as cofactor: RCH2NH2 + H2O + O2 ↔ RCHO + NH3 + H2O2. The 3 substrates of this enzyme are primary amines (RCH2NH2), H2O, and O2, whereas its 3 products are RCHO, NH3, and H2O2