Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane. It exists in two forms MAOA and MAOB. It is expressed in specific zone of brain i.e. hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and olfactory bulb.
MAOB (monoamine oxidase B) is involved in the oxidative metabolism of neurotransmitters and dietary amines, such as dopamine, neuroactive, vasoactive amines and the Parkinsonism-producing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). It forms H2O2 during dopamine metabolism. It is associated with the cause of Parkinson′s disease (PD).
