Monoamine oxidases (MAO) are a collection of enzymes found in the outer mitochondrial membrane that catalyze the oxidative deamination of monoamines. MAO exists as two isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B, which are differentiated based on localization, substrate affinity, and inhibitor specificity. MAOs regulate neurotransmitters and dysfunction of MAOs have been associated with depression, drug abuse, migraines, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Our Monoamine Oxidase Assay Kits measure MAO-A and MAO-B in biological samples. MAO reacts with a substrate, generating hydrogen peroxide. A reaction between hydrogen peroxide and the probe results in a signal that is directly proportional to the level of MAO in the sample and can be detected colorimetrically or fluorometrically. MAO activity in unknown samples is calculated based on a hydrogen peroxide standard curve.