Modification of substrate-inhibitor affinities of human platelet monoamine oxidase B in vitro

Roles of selected non-P450 human oxidoreductase enzymes in protective and toxic effects of chemicals: review and compilation of reactions

This is an overview of the metabolic reactions of drugs, natural products, physiological compounds, and other (general) chemicals catalyzed by flavin monooxygenase (FMO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO), and molybdenum hydroxylase enzymes (aldehyde oxidase (AOX) and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR)), including roles as substrates, inducers, and inhibitors of the enzymes. The metabolism and bioactivation of selected examples of each group (i.e., drugs, “general chemicals,” natural products, and physiological compounds) are discussed. We identified a higher fraction of bioactivation reactions for FMO enzymes compared to other enzymes, predominately involving drugs and general chemicals. With MAO enzymes, physiological compounds predominate as substrates, and some products lead to unwanted side effects or illness. AOX and XOR enzymes are molybdenum hydroxylases that catalyze the oxidation of various heteroaromatic rings and aldehydes and the reduction of a number of different functional groups. While neither of these two enzymes contributes substantially to the metabolism of currently marketed drugs, AOX has become a frequently encountered route of metabolism among drug discovery programs in the past 10–15 years. XOR has even less of a role in the metabolism of clinical drugs and preclinical drug candidates than AOX, likely due to narrower substrate specificity.

90 years of monoamine oxidase: some progress and some confusion

It would not be practical to attempt to deal with all the advances that have informed our understanding of the behavior and functions of this enzyme over the past 90 years. This account concentrates key advances that explain why the monoamine oxidases remain of pharmacological and biochemical interest and on some areas of continuing uncertainty. Some issues that remain to be understood or are in need of further clarification are highlighted.

The therapeutic potential of monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors were among the first antidepressants to be discovered and have long been used as such. It now seems that many of these agents might have therapeutic value in several common neurodegenerative conditions, independently of their inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity. However, many claims and some counter-claims have been made about the physiological importance of these enzymes and the potential of their inhibitors. We evaluate these arguments in the light of what we know, and still have to learn, of the structure, function and genetics of the monoamine oxidases and the disparate actions of their inhibitors.

Oxidative alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase inhibition via subtle elevations in monoamine oxidase B levels results in loss of spare respiratory capacity: implications for Parkinson's disease

Age-related increases in brain monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and its ability to produce reactive oxygen species as a by-product of catalysis could contribute to neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease. This may be via increased oxidative stress and/or mitochondrial dysfunction either on its own or through its interaction with endogenous or exogenous neurotoxic species. We have created genetically engineered dopaminergic PC12 cell lines with subtly increased levels of MAO-B mimicking those observed during normal aging. In our cells, increased MAO-B activity was found to result in increased H2O2 production. This was found to correlate with a decrease in mitochondrial complex I activity which may involve both direct oxidative damage to the complex itself as well as oxidative effects on the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) which provides substrate for the complex. Both complex I and KGDH activities have been reported to be decreased in the Parkinsonian brain. These in vitro events are reversible by catalase addition. Importantly, MAO-B elevation was found to abolish the spare KGDH threshold capacity, which can normally be significantly inhibited before it affects maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates. Our data suggest that H2O2 production via subtle elevations in MAO-B levels can result in oxidative effects on KGDH that can compromise the ability of dopaminergic neurons to cope with increased energetic stress.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of MAO-A selective 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl substrates

Many mammalian tissues express both the A and B forms of monoamine oxidase (MAO), flavoenzymes that catalyze the oxidative deamination of a variety of endogenous and exogenous amines and the ring alpha-carbon oxidative bioactivation of neurotoxic 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl derivatives. Substrates selective for MAO-A that display good kinetic and spectroscopic properties would be of value for developing quantitative assays for MAO-A in tissues that express both the A and B forms of the enzyme. This paper describes the synthesis of several 1-substituted-4-(1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl derivatives. Kinetic parameters and MAO-A selectivity indicate that 1-allyl- and 1-propyl-4-(1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine should be good candidates to develop a robust spectrophotometric-based assay that is selective for MAO-A.

Differential effects of angiotensin II and eledoisin on monoamine oxidase A and B activities in rat brain

Intracerebroventricular injections of angiotensin II caused 108, 62, and 54% increases in monoamine oxidase A activities in rat hippocampus, hypothalamus, and striatum, respectively. These activatory effects were abolished by simultaneous injections of eledoisin. No significant changes of monoamine oxidase B activities were found under the same experimental conditions. Neither angiotensin II nor elodoisin changed substrate/inhibitor affinities of both isoenzymes. These data indicate that angiotensin II and tachykinin transmitter systems may exert opposite, long-term regulatory effects on monoaminergic neurons in rat brain.