Description
Background/Introduction: Monoamine oxidases (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4) are a family of enzymes that can oxidize a wide variety of endogenous primary amines. Two isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B, have been identified based on their substrate, inhibitor specificity and tissue localization. Clonogenic studies have shown that these two isozymes have similar catalytic characteristics, yet their amino acid sequences are different. MAO-A favors Serotonin, Norerpinephrine and Dopamine as substrates, while phenylethylamine and benzylamine are MAO-B preferred substrates. MAO-A and MAO-B are mitochondrial-bound enzymes that are ubiquitously expressed throughout the brain and other tissues. Imbalance of MAOs levels has been associated with schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit and other disorders. MAO-A has been implicated in panic, anxiety and depression, whereas MAO-B defects result in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The assay is initiated with the enzymatic catalysis of the substrate by MAO. The enzyme catalysed reaction products can be measured at a colorimetric readout at 360 nm