Sandbox WWC2

Introduction

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an oxidoreductase flavoenzyme, encoded in the MAOA gene on the X chromosome; the enzyme is present throughout the brain, central nervous system, and stomach. Two isoforms of this enzyme (MAO-A and MAO-B) are expressed on the outer surface of the mitochondrial membrane, and both are responsible for the oxidative deamination of various neurotransmitters and dietary amines [1]. Each isoform is characterized by its unique substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity (Kaludercic et al.). For example, MAO-A preferentially oxidizes 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), epinephrine, and norepinephrine; while MAO-B prefers phenylethylamine and benzylamine. Both of these enzymes oxidize dopamine, tyramine, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine as well as their respective unique substrates according to the following reaction:

                                                        RCH2NHR' + H2O + O2 --> RCHO + R'NH2 + H2O2

in which the H2O2 is enzymatically removed by glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase to produce a reduced glutathione since heightened levels of H2O2 promote apoptosis signalling within cells [2].

spinqualitylabelsall models Crystal Structure of Human Monoamine Oxidase A with Harmine Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image   Print3D

The secondary structure, illustrated in the protein image to the right, in conjunction with the color key, below, indicates the directionality of the polypeptide chain.

Amino Terminus

Carboxy Terminus

How many alpha helices are in this structure?

	None
	One
	Four.

Structural highlights

This is a sample scene created with SAT to color by Group, and another to make a transparent representation of the protein. You can make your own scenes on SAT starting from scratch or loading and editing one of these sample scenes.

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