Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is a mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters and xenobiotics. It primarily catalyzes the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines, including dopamine, phenethylamine, and trace amines, producing hydrogen peroxide and reactive aldehydes. MAO-B antibodies are immunological tools developed to detect, quantify, and study the expression, localization, and functional roles of this enzyme in biological systems.
These antibodies are widely used in neuroscience and biomedical research, particularly in investigating neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, where MAO-B activity is implicated in dopaminergic neuron degeneration through oxidative stress. MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, rasagiline) are therapeutic agents for Parkinson’s, and MAO-B antibodies help evaluate their efficacy and mechanisms.
MAO-B antibodies are typically generated using purified human or recombinant MAO-B proteins as immunogens. They enable techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA to assess tissue-specific expression patterns, changes in enzyme levels under pathological conditions, or cross-reactivity with MAO-A (a related isoform). Species specificity (human, rodent, etc.) and validation in relevant models are critical for reliable results.
Research applications also extend to cancer biology, as MAO-B overexpression has been observed in certain tumors. Understanding MAO-B's dual roles in neurotransmitter regulation and disease pathways underscores its relevance as a biomarker and therapeutic target.