Properties of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in human blood platelets, plasma, lymphocytes and granulocytes

The properties of monoamine oxidase in plasma, platelets, lymphocytes and granulocytes have been studied using cells prepared from a single small (about 20 ml) sample of blood. The three substrates, 5-hydroxytryptamine, tyramine and benzylamine, have been used to obtain a more complete picture of blood monoamine oxidase than was previously possible. Measurement of Michaelis constants, use of selective inhibitors, and activity against the three substrates distinguished three types of activity. The monoamine oxidases in platelets and lymphocytes are very similar, being most active with tyramine or benzylamine as substrate and inhibited by low concentrations of deprenil. The enzymes in plasma and granulocytes are similar in their relatively high activity against 5-hydroxytryptamine and in their inhibition by semicarbazide and cuprizone with tyramine or benzylamine as substrates. They differ in their affinities for 5-hydroxytryptamine and their activity against tyramine. The activity in platelets, plasma, lymphocytes and granulocytes has been measured in a group of 15 normal subjects using three substrates.