MAOA : monoamine oxidase A
Description
The MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome X.
The MAOA gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A. This enzyme breaks down monoamines, including neurotransmitters like serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These neurotransmitters regulate mood, emotion, sleep, appetite, stress response, and movement. MAOA also breaks down dietary monoamines, particularly excess tyramine found in certain foods like cheese. The enzyme plays a role in cell death (apoptosis) during brain development.
MAOA catalyzes the oxidative deamination of primary and some secondary amines, including neurotransmitters, by reducing oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. This process is vital for the metabolism of neuroactive and vasoactive amines in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. MAOA preferentially oxidizes serotonin and also catalyzes the oxidative deamination of kynuramine to 3-(2-aminophenyl)-3-oxopropanal, which can spontaneously condense to 4-hydroxyquinoline.
MAOA is also known as BRNRS, MAO-A.
