aliphatic amines. MAO is, in itself, an important target in drug design and is discussed
separately in chapter 8 since it represents a non-messenger target in drug design. The
intermediate aldehyde is then oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid or, occasionally, is reduced to the alcohol. Monoamine oxidase is found mainly in mitochondrial
membranes, and occurs in multiple isozyme forms. It is a flavoenzyme in that it contains
a riboflavin coenzyme. It seems to act only on certain forms of neurotransmitter. It does
not, for example, affect the bound transmitter stored in vesicles, nor, curiously, the transmitter just released. That MAO inhibitors do not increase the intensity of nerve stimulation implies that there is no enzymatic destruction of freshly released transmitter.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND THEIR RECEPTORS
221
Figure 4.7 Degradative metabolism of norepinephrine.
separately in chapter 8 since it represents a non-messenger target in drug design. The
intermediate aldehyde is then oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid or, occasionally, is reduced to the alcohol. Monoamine oxidase is found mainly in mitochondrial
membranes, and occurs in multiple isozyme forms. It is a flavoenzyme in that it contains
a riboflavin coenzyme. It seems to act only on certain forms of neurotransmitter. It does
not, for example, affect the bound transmitter stored in vesicles, nor, curiously, the transmitter just released. That MAO inhibitors do not increase the intensity of nerve stimulation implies that there is no enzymatic destruction of freshly released transmitter.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND THEIR RECEPTORS
221
Figure 4.7 Degradative metabolism of norepinephrine.