Reaction of pig plasma benzylamine oxidase with beta-aminopropionitrile

Beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is an inhibitor of pig plasma benzylamine oxidase. BAPN is oxidized by benzylamine oxidase. Inhibition develops in a time-dependent fashion upon incubation of BAPN with the enzyme in the absence of substrate. The product of oxidation of BAPN by benzylamine oxidase, cyanacetaldehyde, was identified and prepared by synthesis. It is an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme.