monoamine oxidase
Definition
- Noun:
- An enzyme: A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
- Catalyzes oxidation: Specifically, it facilitates the oxidation (a chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons, often with the addition of oxygen) of monoamine compounds.
- Targets body compounds: Its primary function is to break down key monoamine neurotransmitters and hormones in the body, such as epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and serotonin.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The activity of monoamine oxidase must be carefully regulated for proper neurological function.
- Some antidepressant medications work by inhibiting monoamine oxidase.
- Researchers studied the role of monoamine oxidase in metabolizing dietary amines.
Advanced Usage
- "Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)": A class of drugs that block the action of this enzyme, leading to increased levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. This term is a compound and is listed here as it is a primary clinical application related to the enzyme.
- Older generations of antidepressants included monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Variants and Related Words
- MAO: A common abbreviation for monoamine oxidase.
- Monoamine: A type of organic compound containing one amino group; these are the substrates (target molecules) for monoamine oxidase.
- Oxidase: A general term for any enzyme that catalyzes an oxidation-reduction reaction involving molecular oxygen.
Synonyms
- MAO (the standard abbreviation).
- Amine oxidase (a less specific, broader term for enzymes that oxidize amines).
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B): The two main isoenzyme forms (slightly different versions of the enzyme) with different substrate preferences and locations in the body.
- MAO activity: A phrase referring to the functional level or rate of action of the enzyme.
Noun
-
an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of many body compounds (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine and serotonin)
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