Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Preparation and In Vivo Use of an Activity-based Probe for N-acylethanolamine Acid Amidase
Published on: November 23, 2016
New insights into the structures and functions of human monoamine oxidases A and B
D E Edmondson1, L DeColibus, C Binda
1Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. deedmon@emory.edu
Abstract:
Structural studies on recombinant human monoamine oxidase A (hMAO-A) provides interesting insights on comparison with that determined for human MAO-B (hMAO-B) as well as comparison with that previously published for rat MAO-A. The active site cavity of hMAO-A is monopartite (as with rat MAO-A) while hMAO-B is a bipartite cavity. hMAO-A crystallizes as a monomeric form, in contrast to the dimeric forms exhibited by hMAO-B and rat MAO-A. All of the known MAO structures show nearly identical geometries around the covalent FAD sites. Differences in active site cavity structures occur away from the FAD site through conformational alterations (MAO-A's) and by changes in amino acid residues (hMAO-A and hMAO-B). Differences observed between human and rat MAO-A's raise questions regarding the appropriateness of the rat model in the development of MAO-A specific inhibitors as drugs for eventual human use.
Related Concept Videos
Peroxisomes
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Gene Families
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
The Significance of Membrane Transport
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

